Top five lowest totals defended in SA20 history
The SA20 has seen teams coming up brilliant bowling performances and entering their name in list of lowest totals defended in SA20.
Limited-overs cricket has gradually become more batting-orientated in recent times, with teams scoring big runs and bowlers aiming to stop the batters from smashing a fortune. However, on a few occasions, the tables are turned as the bowlers decide the fortune of a match.
With early wickets and continuous dot balls, the bowlers determine the pace of the game, while the batters try to steer their team towards a respectable total. Such games have a lot of pressure, as they also take place much less in the big league.
Thus, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the top five lowest totals defended in SA20 history.
Top five lowest totals defended in SA20 history
5. Durban Super Giants 145 vs Joburg Super Kings in 2024
The Durban Super Giants’ (DSG) fixture against the Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in SA20 in January 2024 was dominated by bowlers. The whole batting line-up of the DSG fell apart, but Heinrich Klaasen kept scoring on his side. The Proteas batter scored 64 runs in 41 deliveries to steer the Super Giants to a total of 145 runs as Lizaad Williams took four wickets.
Chasing the target, Reeza Hendricks and Moeen Ali tried to put up a fighting display, but the Super Kings only scored 108 runs, losing the match by 37 runs. For the Super Giants, Reece Topley picked up three wickets.
4. MI Cape Town 142 vs Paarl Royals in 2023
The Paarl Royals hosted MI Cape Town at Boland Park in January 2023 and it was one of the best games in the league. Asked to bat, MI Cape Town set a target of 143 for the Royals after 20 overs, thanks to Rassie van der Dussen’s 49-run knock.
Playing for the Royals, Jose Butler scored 68 runs before falling victim to countryman Jofra Archer in the 18th over. However, it wasn’t enough for Paarl to make the cut, as they accumulated only 129 runs after 120 deliveries, falling short by 13 runs.
3. Paarl Royals 140 vs Pretoria Capitals in 2025
Pretoria Capitals hold the record of third lowest totals defended in SA20 history. In a game against Pretoria Capitals in 2025, they decided to bowl first. In just four overs, the Capitals picked up two wickets. However, Joe Root stood strong throughout the innings for the Royals, scoring 78 runs off 56 balls. With eight boundaries and two maximums, the English batter guided the side to a respectable total of 140 runs.
The Pretoria Capitals also witnessed an early fall of wickets, losing three in six overs. Will Jacks’s half-century and Kyle Verreynne’s 30-run knock helped the Capitals get settled after losing quick wickets. However, with the failure of finishers, they lost the match by 11 wins.
2. Pretoria Capitals 138 vs Paarl Royals in 2025-26
The Pretoria Capitals’ recent 21-run over the Paarl Royals in SA20 2025-26 secures the second position on the list. Batting first, the Capitals only managed to score 138 runs in the first innings, thanks to Sherfane Rutherford’s unbeaten 42-run knock off 35 deliveries.
However, the Royals faced significant difficulties in their pursuit of the 139-run target. Lhuan-dre Pretorius lost his wicket on a duck, while Roston Chase and Keshav Maharaj bowled economical spells in the middle overs. Team captain David Miller scored 45 runs off 36 deliveries, but that wasn’t enough for Paarl to secure the triumph, as they ended the game at a total of 117, losing by 21 runs.
1. Pretoria Capitals 125 vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2024
In January 2024, the Pretoria Capitals scripted history by defending the lowest total of the SA20. Playing at Centurion, the Capitals came to bat first. Despite getting off to an explosive start, courtesy of Phil Salt, they started losing wickets. Shane Dadswell and James Neesham provided their team with stability in the middle overs, but the Capitals only managed to reach a total of 125.
Despite having a low total to defend, Pretoria’s bowling showed a strong intent to win. Adil Rashid and Wayne Parnell took three wickets each as the match went into the last over. The Sunrisers failed to chase a target of 126 despite Tristan Stubbs’s 35 and Liam Dawson’s 29-run unbeaten knock.
Which is the lowest total defended in the history of SA20?
The Pretoria Capitals defended a total of 125 runs against the Sunrisers Eastern Cape in January 2024.
Which team has defended the lowest total in SA20 history?
The Pretoria Capitals have defended the two lowest totals in SA20 history.
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