Dewald Brevis and Keegan Petersen scored brilliant centuries which put the Momentum Multiply Titans on the front foot in their CSA 4-Day Series match against the Renault Potchefstroom North-West Dragons at SuperSport Park on Saturday.
The Dragons were on 46-0 at stumps. They trail the Titans by 72 runs with 10 wickets in hand.
The visitors elected to bat first and registered a first-innings score of 345.
The Titans replied by posting 463-9d.
The Dragons had Lesiba Ngoepe (10*) and Matthew Kleinveldt (27*) at the crease at the close of play.
STUMPS: Day 3 comes to an end with Dragon on 46/0 trailing by 72 runs.
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) March 29, 2025
Play resumes tomorrow morning #4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/RMvMBinWzm
The Titans established a 118-run first-innings lead courtesy of some brilliant batting from Neil Brand.
The Titans captain farmed the strike while batting with the tail.
His three partnerships with Matthew Boast, Junior Dala and Lesego Kokohlabana contributed 82 runs to the total.
He registered his 23rd first-class half-century during this period.
Brand was one of two Titans batters who recorded half-centuries on Saturday.
The other was Lhuan-dre Pretorius. The 19-year-old scored a handy 58 from 80 deliveries.
This is his maiden first-class half-century. He faced 65 balls to reach the milestone.
It is also the third time he has gone past 50 in the format. Pretorius converted the first two half-tons to triple figures.
BREVIS AND PETERSEN SHINE WITH THE BAT
Brand and Pretorius' knocks came on the back of two brilliant knocks from Dewald Brevis and Keegan Petersen.
The Titans were floundering on 5-2 after three overs when the pair joined forces in the middle.
They stitched together an outstanding 245-run third-wicket partnership to bat the hosts into a position of strength.
Brevis enjoyed a fruitful One-Day Challenge campaign. He scored several half-centuries in the tournament.
He has carried that form into the red ball format. The batter narrowly missed out on a century last week, when fell for a well-played 99 off 110 against WSB Western Province.
Brevis saw to it that he did miss out on this occasion. He whipped a Lutendo Tsanwani delivery off the pads and over the ropes for a six to bring up his fourth first-class century.
The 21-year-old put the visitors under pressure from the moment he took guard on the third morning.
He faced the lion's share of deliveries and made the most of them.
Brevis needed 54 deliveries to reach the 50-run mark and another 48 to bring up his ton.
A Century for Dewald Brevis 💯
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) March 29, 2025
He brings it up with 102 balls, 14 fours and 3 sixes. 🥳#4DaySeries pic.twitter.com/6eFFNg10pE
He was particularly severe on Lutendo Tswanani, from whom he bludgeoned 16 runs in one over at one point.
This is his second century of the season. He scored a wonderful 159 against the Hollywoodbets Dolphins.
Brevis lost his wicket just before lunch when he drove a Hardus Viljoen delivery straight to Bamanye Xenxe in the covers.
Petersen was the perfect foil for Brevis's positive approach. The 31-year-old faced 168 deliveries to reach his 19th first-class century.
KP brings up his Century 💯💫
— Momentum Multiply Titans (@Titans_Cricket) March 29, 2025
He's currently 112(177)* with 15 fours and 1 six. 🎉#WhereLegendsRise pic.twitter.com/wjWFlxdCaI
This is his first ton of the season. The No 3 batter lost nine balls later. He fell to Matthew Kleinveldt while trying to play the ball through the onside.
Signing Hardus Viljoen on loan for the encounter was an inspired decision by the Dragons.
The seasoned campaigner bagged his 29th five-wicket haul to help restrict the Titans to a total below 500.
Viljoen took 5-132 runs in 30 overs. Matthew Kleinveldt, Odirile Modimokoane and Bamanye Xenxe were the other wicket-takers in the innings.
TITANS: Brayden Hicks, Neil Brand (capt), Keegan Petersen, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Andile Phehlukwayo, Matthew Boast, Junior Dala, Merrick Brett, Lesego Kokohlabana.
DRAGONS: Matthew Kleinveldt, Lesiba Ngoepe, Raynard van Tonder, Wihan Lubbe (capt), Meeka-eel Prince, Ruan de Swardt, Rubin Hermann (wk), Bamanye Xenxe, Lutendo Tsanwani, Odirile Modimokoane, Hardus Viljoen.