Titans win toss, bat first in CSA T20 Challenge final

The Momentum Multiply Titans have won the toss and have decided to bat first in the final of the CSA T20 Challenge against the DP World Lions at DP World Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon.

These two trans-Jukskei rivals are the most successful T20 teams in South Africa, having won 11 of the 20 titles since the tournament's inception back in 2003-04. The Titans, with six titles to their name, and playing in their third final in four seasons, will be hoping to wrestle the title away from the current defending champions.

Russell Domingo's men won the tournament last year, beating the Hollywoodbets Dolphins by seven wickets at the Wanderers back in April. They will be hoping to use their current form to level matters on the title front with the Titans.

The sides have faced each other twice this season - both at the Wanderers - with each side claiming a victory. Earlier in the season, the Titans smashed a massive 258 for six with Lhuan-dre Pretorius (82), Keegan Petersen (68) and Donovan Ferreira (53) all getting half-centuries. Ferreira's knock came from just 19 balls with five fours and three sixes.

In reply, the Lions were reduced to eight for five as Roelof van der Merwe (3-28) and Dayyaan Galiem (3-22) ripped through the top order. Delano Potgieter (28) and Evan Jones (83) brought some respectability to the chase, however, the Titans still won by a massive 117 runs as the Lions ended on 141 for eight.

The tables were turned in the 1st Qualifier as Nqaba Peter (4-15) and Kwena Maphaka (3-11) decimated the Titans' lineup, whittling them out for just 115 which the Lions chased down with ease thanks to a 92-run stand for the second wicket between Reeza Hendricks (61) and Rassie van der Dussen (40 not out) to win by seven wickets.

Ferreira, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Petersen and Pretorius will need to be on top form if they are to challenge Van der Dussen, Hendricks and Evans with the bat while Maphaka, Peter and Junaid Dawood will be hopeful of outshining Galliem, Van der Merwe Corbin Bosch.

DP WORLD LIONS: Zubayr Hamza, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, Connor Esterhuizen (wk), Mitchell van Buuren, Delano Potgieter, Evan Jones, Bjorn Fortuin (capt), Lutho Sipamla, Kwena Maphaka, Nqaba Peter

MOMENTUM MULTIPLY TITANS: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Dayyaan Galiem, Heinrich Klaasen (capt), Sibonela Makhanya, Donovan Ferreira, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Roelof van der Merwe, Junior Dala, Tabriaz Shamsi.