Boland hold their nerve to claim victory over Dragons

Goldrush Boland opened their 2025/26 T20 Challenge campaign with a nine-run victory over the Renault Potchefstroom North West Dragons at Boland Park on Friday evening.

After being asked to bat first, Boland posted 148/9 in their 20 overs, with captain Clyde Reeves-Fortuin leading from the front with a composed 49, well supported by Gavin Kaplan’s 36 runs.

For the Dragons, Alfred Mothoa was the standout performer with the ball, claiming three wickets, while his teammates kept the hosts under pressure with disciplined bowling throughout the innings.

In response, the Dragons’ chase was anchored by Janneman Malan, who struck a steady 50 off 49 balls but his effort was not enough as the visitors fell short, finishing on 139/9.

Boland’s bowlers delivered a collective performance to seal the result. Keith Dudgeon and Imran Manack each picked up three wickets, while Glenton Stuurman chipped in with two crucial scalps to close out the contest.

Both teams will return to action on Sunday. Dragons will remain in the Western Cape to face the World Sports Betting Western Province in Cape Town, while Boland travel to Johannesburg to take on the DP World Lions at the DP World Wanderers Stadium.

Saturday’s fixtures will see the Hollywoodbets Dolphins host the newly promoted Moothee Ram Tuskers in the KwaZulu-Natal derby, while the Dafabet Warriors travel to Centurion to meet the Momentum Multiply Titans at SuperSport Park.

Titans will enter the round buoyed by their nine-run win over the Tuskers on Wednesday, while the Warriors will be eager to get their campaign underway after their opening fixture against Dragons was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Upcoming Division 2 T20 Knockout Matches

Saturday @ 1pm: Eastern Cape Iinyathi v Knights - Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London

Saturday @ 1pm: Mpumalanga Rhinos v Eastern Storm - Uplands College, White River

Sunday @ 1pm: Northern Cape Heat v Garden Route Badgers - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley

Monday @ 1pm: Eastern Storm v Eastern Cape Iinyathi - Willowmoore Park Stadium, Benoni