Round 3 in the CSA 4-Day Series saw Eathan Bosch’s heroics at Newlands, Boland’s ruthless run chase, the Dragons’ rise to the top, and another setback for the Titans with a defeat to the Warriors.
Western Province vs Dolphins
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins pulled off a remarkable escape against World Sports Betting Western Province, snatching a one-wicket win in a dramatic CSA 4-Day Series clash at Newlands.
Eathan Bosch was the hero, guiding the visitors home with an unbeaten 59 as they chased down the 88 runs needed on the final morning.
It looked like the Dolphins might crumble early when Dane Paterson dismissed Hanu Viljoen in the fourth over, and Kyle Simmons quickly followed up with the wicket of Tristan Luus to leave them reeling at 156–8.
But Bosch, who had been at the crease since the first wicket fell, refused to flinch. He counterpunched brilliantly, striking six fours and two sixes in a 74-ball rescue act.
Teenager Nqobani Mokoena played a crucial supporting role, clearing the ropes twice in his quickfire 23 before falling to Mthiwekhaya Nabe with 19 still needed. Last man Okuhle Cele then held firm, allowing Bosch to steer the Dolphins to a famous victory.
Special Mention to Valentine Kitime who scored a maiden century for WP in this match.
Tuskers vs Boland
Goldrush Boland cruised to their second win of the season with a dominant nine-wicket victory over ACDC Express Tuskers at the City Oval in Pietermaritzburg.
Chasing just 122, Grant Roelofsen made a mockery of the target, smashing 82 off only 60 balls – 70 of those runs coming in boundaries. His knock, including 16 fours and a six, put the result beyond doubt in quick time.
Pieter Malan (15) was the only wicket to fall, caught behind off Chad Laycock, before Gavin Kaplan – who struck a magnificent 152 in the first innings – added an unbeaten 25 to finish the job.
Earlier, veteran spinner Shaun von Berg ripped through the Tuskers’ lower order, removing captain Michael Erlank and Hardus Viljoen in the second over of the day. Keith Dudgeon then ended Ntando Zuma’s fighting 29 to seal Boland’s dominance before Roelofsen completed the formalities.
Titans vs Warriors
The Dafabet Warriors continued their unbeaten start to the CSA 4-Day Series with a 46-run victory over the struggling Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park.
Chasing 104 with four wickets in hand, the Titans needed something special on the final morning – but it never came. Matthew Boast struck first, bowling Keagan Lion-Cachet for 11, before Duan Jansen briefly counterattacked with three boundaries in a brisk 19.
Aphiwe Mnyanda (4-52) and Patrick Kruger combined to dismiss both Jansen and key man Keegan Petersen (39), before Boast returned to claim his third wicket and seal another disappointing defeat for the Titans.
The loss leaves the home side winless and stuck at the foot of the table, while the Warriors march on unbeaten.
Matthew Breetzke’s century in the first session was crucial to the Warriors victory.
Lions vs Dragons
The North West Dragons climbed to the top of the CSA 4-Day Series standings after completing an emphatic eight-wicket win over the DP World Lions at the Wanderers – with a full day to spare.
Resuming on 39–4 on Day 3, the Lions’ hopes rested on first-innings centurion Connor Esterhuizen, but Ruan de Swardt struck early to remove him and open the floodgates. Richard Seletswane’s battling 38 off 112 balls offered brief resistance, yet wickets continued to tumble.
Onke Nyaku led the way with 4–74, supported by De Swardt and Shimane Mothoa with two wickets apiece, as the Lions were bundled out for 163.
With a modest target, the Dragons wasted no time. Janneman Malan’s fluent 41 and Wihan Lubbe’s explosive 67 off 46 balls sealed a commanding victory, propelling North West to the summit of the table.
Special mention to Connor Esterhuizen for his 100 in the first innings for the Lions.
