Klaasen and Mulder propel Durban Super Giants into the final.

A dominant batting showing propelled the Durban Super Giants to the SA20 final at the cost of their hosts, the Johannesburg Super Kings. Under ideal batting conditions at the Wanderers, the Super Giants scored 211 runs before burying their opponents under this mound of runs for a comfortable 69-run victory.

Following the Super Kings’ toss and decision to pursue, Heinrich Klaasen (74 off 30) and Wiaan Mulder (50* off 23) led the charge. The Super Kings started effectively with the ball, scoring twice and surrendering only 46 runs on the powerplay.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa’s superb cameo prepared the Super Giants for the final onslaught. The Sri Lankan hit six boundaries in a 23-ball knock of 35 before falling in the 13th over, after Klaasen had only scored 13 from his opening 11 deliveries.

Imran Tahir’s 15th over unleashed the floodgates. Mulder struck the seasoned legspinner for a six before turning over the strike, allowing Klaasen to score 6, 6, 4, 6 for a 29-run lead. Klaasen went from 15 off 13 to 37 off his next 9 balls, completing a 22-ball half-century. And he wasn’t finished. In another 29-run over, he and Mulder ripped at JSK’s death bowling, hitting three straight sixes.

In total, the visitors scored 102 runs in the final six overs, with Mulder reaching his 23-ball half-century on the penultimate ball of the innings.

The Super Kings, stung by this two-pronged attack, were never in the chase after losing three wickets in the powerplay. Moeen Ali, Donnovan Ferreira, and Doug Bracewell contributed little in the middle, but it was insufficient to pose any threat to the opponents. Junior Dala returned for his second stint and secured the win with four wickets.

The Super Giants will meet the reigning champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, in the final.