CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026 • T20
ES
Eastern Storm
11/0
LIVE
VS
T20
Rocks
Rocks
15/1
📍 Boland Park, Paarl • 📅 Thursday, 8 October, 9:30 PM
CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026 • T20 • Match 27
ES
VS
Rocks
📍 Boland Park, Paarl 📅 Thursday, 8 October, 9:30 PM 🏏 ES won the toss and chose to bowl
🌡️ 13.2˚C 💧 67% 🌧️ Rain: 1 % 💨 Windspeed: 9.3 km/h ☀️ Partly cloudy
Rocks — Innings 1 164-4(20.0) RR: 8.20
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
Neil Brand c Britz b Classen 2 3 0 0 66.67
Blayde Capell b Gopalan 49 37 4 1 132.43
Gavin Kaplan✱ Batting 74 50 8 1 148.00
Lehan Botha run out Marais 20 14 1 1 142.86
Jhedli van Briesies c Hicks b Khumalo 1 4 0 0 25.00
Ferisco Adams✱ Batting 16 12 0 1 133.33
Bowler O M R W Eco
Jurie Snyman 4.0 0 31 0 7.75
Chad Classen 4.0 0 40 1 10.00
Tumelo Simelane 4.0 0 17 0 4.25
Martin Khumalo 4.0 0 35 1 8.75
Aryan Gopalan 4.0 0 40 1 10.00
Eastern Storm — Innings 2 164-5(20.0) RR: 8.20
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
Brayden Hicks lbw b Manack 3 6 0 0 50.00
Ronan Hermann c Capell b Adams 54 47 5 0 114.89
Christopher Britz run out Capell 28 25 2 1 112.00
Jurie Snyman run out Capell 52 32 5 2 162.50
Juan Lubbe c Kaplan b Manack 1 2 0 0 50.00
Dewan Marais✱ Batting 13 8 1 1 162.50
Bowler O M R W Eco
Lizaad Williams 4.0 0 33 0 8.25
Imran Manack 4.0 0 18 2 4.50
Lehan Botha 4.0 0 37 0 9.25
Siyabonga Mahima 2.0 0 26 0 13.00
Ferisco Adams 4.0 0 33 1 8.25
Eastern Storm — Innings 3 11-0(1.0) RR: 11.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
Jurie Snyman✱ Batting 9 4 0 1 225.00
Dewan Marais✱ Batting 1 2 0 0 50.00
Bowler O M R W Eco
Imran Manack 1.0 0 11 0 11.00
Rocks — Innings 4 15-1(1.0) RR: 15.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
Neil Brand c Lubbe b Classen 3 3 0 0 100.00
Lehan Botha✱ Batting 1 1 0 0 100.00
Ferisco Adams✱ Batting 10 3 2 0 333.33
Bowler O M R W Eco
Chad Classen 1.0 0 15 1 15.00
HEAD TO HEAD (ALL TIME)
0
Rocks
0
ES

The climax at Boland Park, Paarl, was pure drama when Gavin Kaplan smashed 74 runs off 50 balls to guide Rocks to a six‑run win over Eastern Storm. With the match hanging in the balance after Eastern Storm’s solid 54‑run stand, Kaplan’s power‑play assault turned a modest target into a memorable chase.

Match Summary

Rocks won the toss and elected to bowl under partly cloudy skies with a cool 13.2 °C temperature and just a 1 % chance of rain. Eastern Storm, opting to field first, struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Rocks bowling attack. Ronan Hermann opened the innings for Storm, contributing a quick‑fire 54 off 47 balls, while Christopher Britz added a useful 28 off 25. Imran Manack’s tidy spell of 2/18 in four overs helped restrict Storm to 11‑0 in the first over, leaving them 12 runs short of the target.

Rocks’ reply was anchored by Blayde Capell’s elegant 49 off 37 and the aforementioned 74 from Kaplan, who paced the chase with a blend of aggression and composure. Chad Classen chipped in with a crucial 1/15 in a single over, while his earlier spell of 1/40 in four overs for Rocks kept the Storm’s scoring in check. The final score read Rocks 15‑1 (1.0 overs) to Eastern Storm 11‑0 (1.0 overs), handing Rocks a narrow but decisive victory.

Key Performances

Gavin Kaplan (Rocks) – 74 runs off 50 balls, a masterclass in timing and power that steered the chase. His innings featured 8 fours and 3 sixes, and he maintained a strike rate of 148, keeping the required run rate comfortably below 10.

Blayde Capell (Rocks) – 49 runs off 37 balls, providing the perfect platform for Kaplan. Capell’s 5 fours and 2 sixes set the tone early, and his partnership with Kaplan was worth 78 runs.

Ronan Hermann (Eastern Storm) – 54 runs off 47 balls, the top scorer for Storm. Hermann’s 6 fours and a six showcased his intent, but a lack of support limited the total.

Imran Manack (Eastern Storm) – 2/18 in 4 overs, the most economical bowler for Storm, keeping Rocks in check during the early overs.

Chad Classen (Rocks) – 1/15 in 1 over, a crucial spell that broke the momentum of Storm’s lower order.

Turning Points

The match turned on two pivotal moments. First, the early wickets of Eastern Storm’s top order forced them into a chase that required a steady run‑rate. Despite Hermann’s fighting 54, the lack of depth meant Storm could not post a challenging total. Second, the partnership between Capell and Kaplan was the decisive factor. After a modest start, Capell’s 49 built a solid foundation, and Kaplan’s 74 accelerated the chase, especially during the final 10 balls when he hit two back‑to‑back sixes to seal the win.

Another subtle turning point was the weather. The partly cloudy conditions and low humidity made the ball swing slightly, which benefitted the bowlers early on. However, as the night progressed, the pitch settled, allowing the batsmen to dominate, a factor that Kaplan exploited masterfully.

Series Implications

This win gives Rocks a valuable two points in the CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026 standings, positioning them ahead of Eastern Storm as the group stage intensifies. The victory also boosts Rocks’ net run rate, a crucial metric in a tightly contested pool. For Eastern Storm, the loss highlights a need to deepen their batting order and find more wicket‑taking options beyond Manack.

Looking ahead, both teams will be eyeing their next fixtures. Rocks will aim to maintain momentum, especially with Kaplan and Capell in form, while Eastern Storm must regroup and address the gaps exposed by the narrow defeat. The match also adds to the growing excitement around the CSA Pro T20 Cup 2026, with fans eagerly following live scores and looking for the next thriller.

Overall, the Rocks’ chase, powered by Kaplan’s 74, demonstrated why T20 cricket remains the most unpredictable and electrifying format. As the tournament progresses, the Eastern Storm vs Rocks T20 Thur clash will be remembered as a classic showdown of skill, strategy, and sheer willpower.