The Titans recorded a comfortable 24-run victory over the Tuskers at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein to progress to the quarterfinals of the CSA T20 Knockout tournament, while the dead rubber between the Knights and Rhinos was washed out.

Conveniently, the all-stakes game between the Titans and Tuskers in the morning and afternoon session was able to go ahead, as the winner essentially played for second place in Pool B.

The Pretoria-based Titans elected to bat first and set up a competitive total of 157-7, thanks largely to a late blitz in the final two overs from Donavon Ferreira, who scored 43 off 24 balls, including three 4s and two 6s.

For large parts of the innings the Titans underwent a boundary drought, but Ferreira’s exploits in the latter overs meant they were able to post an eventual winning score.

At the start of the innings, opener Jandre Pretorius scored a steady 40 off 39 balls, having been supported solidly by Neil Brand (19 off 11) and Jiveshan Pillay (18 off 18).

Kurtlyn Mannikam was the pick of the bowlers, who all contributed regularly on the day. Mannikam took figures of 2-17 at a rate of 5.66, the second-best of the innings.

The Tuskers’ response was somewhat lethargic, and they struggled to gain any real momentum after the 12^th over when they lost their fourth wicket, that of Michael Erlank, for 24.

The Pietermaritzburg side stayed on par in their chase prior to that dismissal, but the likes of Andile Mokgakane(19 off 25) and Keith Dudgeon (23 off 23) couldn’t capitalise thereafter and were left aimlessly slogging at everything that came at them in a panic, all to no real avail.

After the pair was dismissed, it was just a matter of time for the demise of the Tuskers, who fell well-short of their target on 133-7. Opener Luke Schlemmer’s efforts were in vain, having top-scored with the bat with 33 off 24 deliveries. 

Okuhle Cele’s variation in line and pace evidently got under the skins of the Tuskers batters, having taken figures of 2-24 at a rate of 6.00.

The Knights and Rhinos encounter was abandoned without a ball being bowled, with the Free State outfit progressing to the quarters as Pool B toppers and the Titans as runners-up.