It was yet another high-scoring thriller, as the Paarl Royals held their nerve and clinched a 10-run victory against the formidable Pretoria Capitals at SuperSport Park.

The hosts enjoyed the early success, as Daryn Dupavillon sent Jason Roy back in the 2nd over. Jos Buttler got off to a cracking start, but stand-in skipper Jimmy Neesham got another breakthrough when Wihan Lubbe offered an easy catch in the circle.

David Miller arrived at No 4, but there was plenty of work ahead, especially when Buttler holed out to long-off in the 9th over. An encouraging start was cut short, and it was down to the captain and young Mitchell van Buuren to kickstart a rescue act.

Both players began carefully, but the second over from Neesham was the catalyst for the blazing finish to come. Miller and van Buuren hit 4 boundaries between them, and the partnership would soon cross 50.

Miller reached a half-century in 34 balls, but van Buuren beat him to it, taking 31 balls. Both batters were looking increasingly fluent and punished errors from all the Pretoria bowlers. The icing on the cake was three big hits in the final over to take Paarl over 200.

The Capitals had a mammoth chase on their plate, which got off to a horror start. Lungi Ngidi got the wickets of the dangerous Phil Salt and Theunis de Bruyn in the very first over.

However, Will Jacks and Rilee Rossouw put on an exhibition after the two early jolts. Jacks impressed with his timing and placement, while Rossouw struck several lusty blows over the course of the first half of the innings.

Pretoria appeared to be swiftly running away with the game – Jacks and Rossouw had a century stand that continued to flourish. Unfortunately for them, the reintroduction of Lungi Ngidi was the master stroke. And it took an unbelievable catch from Jason Roy to dismiss Rossouw for 82.

One key opening resulted in another in the very next over. Bjorn Fortuin started his last over with a bang, as Jacks was clean bowled.

Obed McCoy struck to remove Colin Ingram in the 16th over, and Andile Phehlukwayo dismissed Neesham, right when he was looking to wrest back command of the game.

Ngidi claimed his fourth wicket when he trapped Corbin Bosch in front. The game still seemed to be in the balance, but the Royals had their noses ahead with two overs to go. An economical penultimate over from Phehlukwayo set up 14 runs for McCoy to defend.

The West Indian left-armer dazzled with his variations, preventing Hardus Viljoen from scoring at all in the first four deliveries. That would seal a clutch victory for Paarl, making it back-to-back wins for the men in blue and magenta.

PR 210/3 in 20 overs (Miller 75*, van Buuren 72*)

PC 200/7 in 20 overs (Rossouw 82, Jacks 58 – Ngidi 4-0-39-4)