Badgers and Titans begin Hollywoodbets Pro20 with victories while rain dominates in Gqeberha
The Fidelity Titans and the Garden Route Badgers secured important wins, while inclement weather had the final say in the clash between the Warriors and the DP World Lions as the 2026/27 Hollywoodbets Pro20 Series campaign got underway on Sunday.
The Titans cruised to an eight-wicket victory over the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in Tshwane, while the Garden Route Badgers held their nerve to claim a 12-run win over defending champions YesPlay Western Province Cobras in Cape Town.
Much like Saturday’s Hollywoodbets Pro50 encounter, the match between the Warriors and DP World Lions was abandoned due to rain at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
At the TUT Oval, the Dolphins posted a solid 157/3 in their 20 overs after an outstanding 60-ball 89 not out from Alexandra Candler, which included 11 fours and two sixes.
That was still not enough to keep the Titans' batting prowess at arm’s length, as Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with 69 off 40 balls (12x4) in an opening 114-run stand with Anneke Bosch, who went on to finish unbeaten on 63 off 45 deliveries (10x4), as the home side sailed to victory with 13 balls to spare.
In the other match of the day, the YesPlay Newlands Stadium played host to a thrilling encounter that saw the Garden Route Badgers get one over their Western Cape rivals and perennial champions, the Cobras, in the opening T20 fixture of the season.
Annerie Dercksen led the charge with a 28-ball 43, alongside a notable contribution of 27 off 14 from Nicolien Janse van Rensburg, to help the Badgers post 159/7 in 20 overs despite Kayla Reyneke’s impressive return of 3/14.
Although the Cobras began their chase brightly through Nadine de Klerk’s explosive knock of 43 off 22 balls, the Oudtshoorn-based side fought back with crucial wickets in the middle period to slow down the Cobras’ bite.
Even with a further contribution from Reyneke, who added 45 off 42 balls, the Badgers bowlers, including Kiara Fisher with leading figures of 2/26, maintained the pressure to eventually restrict the Cobras to 147/7 and seal an encouraging victory to start the Pro20 competition.
Results - Hollywoodbets Pro20 Series | Week 1
Fidelity Titans beat Hollywoodbets Dolphins by 8 wickets
Dolphins: 157/3 after 20 overs; A Candler 89* (60), Y Khan 35 (32); S Luus 1/14, L Nzuza 1/20
Titans: 158/2 after 17.5 overs; L Wolvaardt 69 (40), A Bosch 63* (45); A Hlubi 1/22
Garden Route Badgers beat YesPlay WP Cobras by 12 runs
Garden Route Badgers: 159/7 after 20 overs; A Dercksen 43 (28), N Janse van Rensburg 27 (14); K Reyneke 3/14, D Tucker 2/23
Cobras: 147/7 after 20 overs; K Reyneke 45 (42), N de Klerk 43 (22); K Fisher 2/26, N Janse van Rensburg 1/19
Match abandoned due to inclement weather
Warriors: DNB
Lions: DNB
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