Pretoria Capitals Finish Runners-Up Again as SEC Win SA20

Pretoria Capitals fell short once again in an SA20 final against Sunrisers Eastern Cape. SEC defended their crown and lifted their third title in 4 seasons.

The SA20 2025/26 final was a repeat of the inaugural season’s title clash. The result turned out to be the same as well. 

Sunrisers Eastern Cape didn’t just win the toss again, they even chose to bowl first once again, eventually denying Pretoria their maiden SA20 title for the second time. 

With the win, Sunrisers Eastern Cape showed their dominance. They have now won three SA20 titles and reached the final in all 4 seasons of the league.

Pretoria Capitals booked their place in the final at Newlands, Cape Town, after defeating Sunrisers Eastern Cape in Qualifier 1. It was Pretoria’s second SA20 final appearance and another clash in the final against the league’s most successful side.

Pretoria and Sunrisers finished as the top two teams in the league stage. Both sides were the most consistent performers throughout the season.

Pretoria Capitals Batting in the Final 

After Tristan Stubbs opted to bowl first, Sunrisers struck early. Marco Jansen removed Connor Esterhuizen with a delivery that found the edge inside the first over. Shai Hope followed soon after, caught at cover while attempting an aerial shot. 

Pretoria slipped to 1 for 2 after just 1.1 overs and were forced into recovery mode early in the final. Dewald Brevis once again stood tall for Pretoria Capitals. Brevis peaked when it mattered most. He followed up scores of 53 in the final league game and 75* in Qualifier 1 with a brilliant 101 in the final.

1⃣ Man on the big stage! Dewald Brevis brought his A-game ✅#BetwaySA20 #PCvSEC #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/njyFN1fGyF

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 25, 2026

His century helped Pretoria reach 158/7, a total that looked competitive on a slowing surface.

Capitals Fight Back with the Ball

Pretoria needed early wickets to defend the total. Lungi Ngidi provided the breakthrough as Jonny Bairstow edged one to Shai Hope.

Sunrisers were 5 for 1 and under pressure early. Quinton de Kock fell on the final ball of the powerplay.

We've got a game on our hands as Pretoria Capitals remove both Sunrisers Eastern Cape openers 👊#BetwaySA20 #PCvSEC #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/10UsvLHKZd

— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 25, 2026

With the pitch slowing, Pretoria turned to spin. Keshav Maharaj and Roston Chase applied the squeeze through the middle overs. 

The duo bowled six overs together, conceded 33 runs, and picked up 2 wickets. Sunrisers slipped from 39/2 after 6 overs to 48/4 in the 9th over and then to 72 for 4 after 12 overs.

The game turned decisively when Matthew Breetzke and Tristan Stubbs came together. The pair added an unbeaten 114-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Both batters scored half-centuries and paced the chase calmly. Brevis’ century went in vain as their partnership proved decisive as Sunrisers Eastern Cape chased down the target to seal another SA20 title.

Records Broken by Pretoria Capitals in SA20

1. Pretoria Capitals reached their second SA20 final, second only to Sunrisers Eastern Cape (4).
2. Pretoria became the only team, along with SEC, to finish in the top two twice in SA20 history.
3. Sherfane Rutherford became the first Pretoria player to score 300+ runs in an SA20 season.
4. Dewald Brevis finished as Pretoria’s highest run-scorer in a season with 370 runs.
5. Brevis became the first ever player to score a century in an SA20 final.
6. Shai Hope’s 118* vs DSG became Pretoria’s highest individual SA20 score and the highest individual score in SA20 history.
7. Roston Chase became the first player to be retired-out in SA20 history.
8. Lungi Ngidi took the first hat-trick in SA20 history, against DSG.

The focus now shifts to the T20 World Cup in India & Sri Lanka starting 7th February, then moving to the IPL 2026.