The semi-finals of the T20 Challenge has now been confirmed

Daryn Dupavillon’s career-best 5-20 on Sunday was instrumental in the KZN Dolphins securing a home semi-final in the T20 Challenge. The Dolphins beat the EP Warriors by seven wickets in Gqeberha, with the hosts suffering their fourth straight loss.

There was also a significant victory for the Northerns Titans over Western Province at Newlands in a match that was essentially a quarter-final. The Titans emerged victorious by six wickets, largely due to the contributions of pace bowlers Junior Dala (3-13) and Corbin Bosch (3-21).

The Central Gauteng Lions secured the top spot on the T20 Challenge log with a seven-wicket win over the KZN Inland Tuskers at the Wanderers. Nqaba Peter (3-15) continued his impressive performance in 2024.

The final game of the day was won by the North West Dragons, who beat the Boland Rocks by six wickets in Paarl.

The semi-finals will see the table-topping Lions host the fourth-placed Titans in Johannesburg, with the third-placed Warriors travelling to the second-placed Dolphins in Durban.

Dupavillon was the standout performer on the day, delivering a vintage performance that effectively neutralised the Warriors, who had won their first eight matches of the season before encountering a setback.

After his captain won the toss and bowled, the paceman's performance helped the Dolphins restrict their hosts at St George's Park to 130-8, despite Jordan Hermann's 65 off 53 balls (four fours, two sixes).

Former Warriors captain Jon-Jon Smuts (43*) and Jason Smith (41*) then shared a 75-run unbroken fourth-wicket stand, enabling the Dolphins to secure victory with 16 balls to spare.