A 151-run opening partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks paved the way for Central Gauteng Lions' 132-run victory over Western Province in Cape Town on Wednesday.
The Proteas duo hit half-centuries to help their side post 213-2 before rookie spinner Nqaba Peter took four wickets to bowl out the hosts for just 81.
Fellow South Africa international Lutho Sipamla was also key with three wickets to round off a fine evening for the visitors, who took control of second place on the T20 Challenge log.
However, the match was set up by the Rickelton-Hendricks stand, which came in the space of 14 overs.
The former struck four sixes and five fours in a 46-ball 73, while the latter was even quicker on his way to a 49-ball 90, hitting six sixes and five fours at Newlands, where the home side would undoubtedly have regretted their decision to bowl first.
After the stand was finally broken by George Linde, the most respectable of the bowlers (1-34), Rassie van der Dussen (29*) and Delano Potgieter (14*) provided a flourishing end to the set of 214.
WP were never in contention after slipping to 9-2 and then 20-3 thanks to Sipamla before Nqaba's leg spin took the rest of the line-up by surprise. The 21-year-old now has seven wickets for just 21 runs from his last two outings.
Kyle Verreynne top-scored for Province on his way to an emphatic dismissal in 14.3 overs.