The high-stakes drama of the SA20 2026 reached a fever pitch at Centurion on January 15, as the Paarl Royals locked horns with the Pretoria Capitals in the 25th match of the season. In a contest that was billed as a pivotal clash for playoff qualification, it was a masterclass in pace bowling that stole the headlines. Ottneil Baartman produced a performance for the ages, claiming a sensational hat-trick to dismantle the Capitals’ lineup and guarantee the Royals a coveted spot in the postseason.
Ottneil Baartman’s hattrick dismantles the Pretoria Capitals batting unit in SA20
The Pretoria Capitals’ innings never truly found its rhythm, but the real collapse arrived in the 19th over. Entering the final stages at 126/6, the Capitals looked to Andre Russell to provide a late-over flourish. However, Baartman had other plans.
On the first delivery of the over (18.1), Baartman hit a hard length on a tight off-stump line. Russell, forced to go big, failed to get under the bounce and holed out to long-off, where Sikandar Raza took an excellent tumbling catch. The Centurion crowd was still buzzing when Baartman steamed in for the next delivery. He produced a sharp, short-of-a-length ball that induced a hesitant drive from Lizaad Williams, resulting in a thick inside edge onto the stumps.
With the hat-trick on the line at 18.3, Baartman remained ice-cold. He delivered a fierce, rising delivery to Lungi Ngidi, who could only manage a defensive chip back toward the bowler. In a display of supreme athleticism, Baartman flicked his right hand out instinctively to claim the return catch. This historic hat-trick saw the Capitals crumble from a position of relative safety to being bowled out for a meagre 127 in 19.1 overs. Baartman finished with incredible figures of 5/16, earning him the undisputed Player of the Match honours.
Here’s the video:
Ottneil Baartman is unstoppable!
18.1 – c Raza b Baartman
18.2 – b Baartman
18.3 – c&b Baartman#BetwaySA20 #PCvPR #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/A5PEkmvu7D— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 15, 2026
Also WATCH: Dewald Brevis and Sherfane Rutherford unleash a flurry of sixes on MI Cape Town bowlers in SA20 2025-26
Paarl Royals cruise to victory and Playoff qualification
Chasing a target of 128, the Paarl Royals showcased the composure of a championship-caliber side. Despite losing Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Asa Tribe early in the powerplay, the Royals never looked rattled. The stability was provided by Rubin Hermann, who played a blistering knock of 46 off 29 balls, striking three boundaries and three massive sixes to shift the momentum firmly in Paarl’s favor.
Hermann was ably supported by Dan Lawrence (41 off 32), and the duo’s 52-run partnership effectively took the game away from Pretoria. When Lawrence eventually fell to Ngidi, captain David Miller stepped in to apply the finishing touches. Miller’s unbeaten 28 off 16 balls ensured there were no late hiccups.
The Royals reached 128/4 in just 15.1 overs, securing a dominant 6-wicket victory with 29 balls to spare. This clinical win not only moved them to the top of the table but also officially confirmed their participation in the SA20 Playoffs. For the Pretoria Capitals, the defeat leaves their campaign hanging by a thread, as they were unable to find answers to Baartman’s tactical brilliance and the Royals’ collective clinical execution.
Also READ: Sunrisers Eastern Cape skittle Paarl Royals for SA20’s lowest-ever total in one-sided win
For latest cricket news & updates, visit CricketTimes.com.
