The Pretoria Capitals claimed a 29-run win over the Paarl Royals at the Wanderers in the first semi-final of the SA20.

The rain threatened to interrupt the 1st semi-final between the Pretoria Capitals and the Paarl Royals at the Wanderers. With dark skies hovering over quite a cracky strip, the game started 35 mins late without any overs lost.

The Royals chose to bowl first, with the aim of taking advantage of the conditions. Bjorn Fortuin got the first breakthrough for his side, dismissing Kusal Mendis for 7, a player he has had trouble bowling to in the past.

Tabraiz Shamsi joined the attack and caused damage almost immediately, dismissing the PC skipper Theunis de Bruyn at the end of the 7th over with 37 on the board. Shortly after they crept past the 50-run mark, Shamsi struck again to dismiss the in-form Phil Salt.

As soon as the Capitals started to gain momentum, the Royals struck again, this time Colin Ingram falling to Evan Jones with 84 on the board. James Neesham was then dismissed by Andile Phehlukwayo, which saw PC reeling on 91-5.

Rilee Rossouw was the one shining hope for the Pretoria side, he scored 56 off 41 balls, which included 3 sixes and 5 fours, until Phehlukwayo dismissed him with PC on 133.

Eathan Bosch was key to getting the Royals past the 140 mark, scoring 22 off 10 balls before Phehlukwayo picked up his 3rd.

In the 19th over, Migael Pretorius was run out as PC was reduced to 144/8.

The Capitals, considering the conditions and the poor start, got themselves to 151 in their 20 overs.

The Paarl Royals never had the best of starts, particularly because they lost both World Cup Winners Jos Buttler and Jason Roy, Bosch taking both wickets. PR were 16-2 after 2.1 overs.

Adil Rashid quickly joined the party using the spinning conditions to his advantage, reducing the Paarl Royals to 64-4 after 8.4 overs. The Royals added 19 runs until they lost another wicket, part-timer, Rilee Rossouw, removing Morgan, who sliced a cover drive which was taken by Mendis at deep point.

It was now up to Royals captain David Miller to take his team into the final. PR needed 30 off the last two overs, while Miller was losing partners quickly. They were 124-8 after 18 overs. Miller then lost his wicket trying to smash Nortje, but it was in vain, losing his wicket on 31, and the Proteas pacer took the final wicket of Shamsi to claim a 29-run win.