FOR THE RECORD: SEASON 2 HIGHEST SCORERS

Betway SA20 truly did deliver an incredible Season 2 and no more so than the batters. The most runs record was improved significantly from the inaugural season and a new highest score was set among multiple other batting records which fell this campaign.

Here, for the record, are top 10 run scorers:

1. RYAN RICKELTON (MI CAPE TOWN)

Runs: 530 | Highest score: 98 vs Joburg Super Kings (A) | Average: 58.88 | Strike rate: 173.77 | 4s: 41 | 6s: 34

After the starting the season with 87 against Durban's Super Giants, Ryan Rickelton did not look back. All told, MI Cape Town's opener scored five 50s on his way to a new SA20 record of 530 runs for the campaign.

While 'Ricks' couldn't manage an elusive century or help his team get to the Playoffs, he can look back at his season with great pride and would have reminded national team selectors of the qualities he possesses.

2. HEINRICH KLAASEN (DURBAN'S SUPER GIANTS)

Runs: 447 | Highest score: 85 vs MI Cape Town (H) | Average: 40.63 | Strike rate: 207.90 | 4s: 25 | 6s: 37

Heinrich Klaasen may not have scored the most runs in Season 2, or got over the line in the Final, but he was undoubtedly the most destructive batter around.

Durban's Super Giants gave him a roving role in their middle-order, coming to the crease when he could be most effective and more often than not he delivered. His 447 runs came at a strike rate of 207.90 with spin bowlers suffering the most from his big-hitting.

Few will forget him almost single-handedly winning DSG's season-opener against MI Cape Town with the rain imminent, or kick-starting the Zoho Longest Sixes race by planting Liam Dawson on the Kingsmead roof, a 105m hit at the coast. Then there was his 16-ball 50 to demoralise Paarl Royals and the 74 against Joburg Super Kings which secured DSG their place in the Final.

3. MATTHEW BREETZKE (DURBAN'S SUPER GIANTS)

Runs: 416 | Highest score: 78 vs Paarl Royals (H) | Average: 32.00 | Strike rate: 135.50 | 4s: 40 | 6s: 22

After filling in as required in Durban's Super Giants middle-order last season, Matthew Breetzke has made the opener slot his own this campaign.

Whereas his initial opening partner, Quinton de Kock struggled to click, the 25-year-old found his rhythm from the get-go. Breetzke's 416 runs came at a healthy strike rate of 135.50 and he showed an innate ability to release pressure throughout the campaign; whether drives for six or flicks and cuts for four.

4. JOS BUTTLER (PAARL ROYALS)

Runs: 408 | Highest score: 70* vs Joburg Super Kings (H) | Average: 40.80 | Strike rate: 143.66 | 4s: 44 | 6s: 14

Jos Buttler was Season 1's top scorer with 391 runs yet only finished fourth this time round with 17 more runs - highlight how the level has gone up in South Africa's premier T20 league.

The 33-year-old was particularly impressive at Boland Park this campaign, where he posted scores of 70* (his highest of the season, against Joburg Super Kings), 54, 45 and 64. With some more consistency from his fellow batters, Paarl Royals title probably wouldn't have faded as a dramatically as they did at the back end of the season.

5. LEUS DU PLOOY (JOBURG SUPER KINGS)

Runs: 377 | Highest score: 71 vs Paarl Royals (A) | Average: 37.70 | Strike rate: 159.07 | 4s: 37 | 6s: 17

While the majority of Joburg Super Kings' batters lacked consistency in Season 2, Leus du Plooy did not. The inventive left-hander comfortably finished as his team's top scorer, with 377 runs.

Du Plooy's cunning and 360-hitting initially held JSK's middle-order together, not least when he scored his season's high of 71 away against Paarl Royals. However, he moved to the top-of-the-order in the must-win rain-reduced fixture against MI Cape Town at Newlands and duly impressed his captain Faf du Plessis with his bravery while scoring 41 not out in the 8-overs-a-side clash. Further scores of 57 and 68 guided JSK into the Playoffs, where their title hopes were finally dashed.

6. RASSIE VAN DER DUSSEN (MI CAPE TOWN)

Runs: 328 | Highest score: 104 vs Joburg Super Kings (A) | Average: 32.80 | Strike rate: 147.74 | 4s: 23 | 6s: 16

Rassie van der Dussen was solid yet unspectacular during Season 1, when he was also a top 10 scorer with 243 runs.

This time around, 'RVD' came to the fore for MI Cape Town, not least when he bludgeoned 104 against Joburg Super Kings at his beloved Wanderers - the first century of Season 2.

The 35-year-old may not have quite reached the same heights again but two 40s and a 60 in MICT's season finale allowed his team to stay in the hunt for playoffs until late into that season-ender against Pretoria Capitals.

7. TRISTAN STUBBS (SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE)

Runs: 301 | Highest score: 66* vs Durban's Super Giants (A) | Average: 60.20 | Strike rate: 168.15 | 4s: 21 | 6s: 15

In scoring a free-flowing 56 not out in the victorious Final, Tristan Stubbs completed a Season 2 redemption arc in fitting fashion. Following the match, the 23-year-old admitted that his head was not in the right place in the inaugural season, with the weight of his auction price tag playing a significant part.

However, since blasting a rapid-fire 66 not against Durban's Super Giants early in the campaign, Stubbs has batted with freedom and a smile on his face and 301 crucial runs accrued - making him the back-to-back champions' top scorer this time around.

8. JON-JON SMUTS (DURBAN'S SUPER GIANTS)

Runs: 298 | Highest score: 75 vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape (A) | Average: 27.09 | Strike rate: 136.69 | 4s: 26 | 6s: 17

Jon-Jon Smuts may not have anticipated having such a prominent role for Durban's Super Giants when he traded teams with Simon Harmer - who headed to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

However, when the 35-year-old whacked 75 against his former teammates at his beloved St George's Park it was evident that he was in good nick. Two further 50s - away at Paarl Royals and Joburg Super Kings - followed along with some other lesser contributions to take his season tally up to 298. His ability to absorb pressure and build partnerships while batting in the top four was crucial to DSG's progression to the final.

9. WIAAN MULDER (DURBAN'S SUPER GIANTS)

Runs: 297 | Highest score: 59 vs Joburg Super Kings (A) | Average: 37.12 | Strike rate: 157.14 | 4s: 27 | 6s: 12

Soon to turn 26, Wiaan Mulder showed his growing confidence in his own game - particularly with the bat for Durban's Super Giants.

Across the season, Mulder scored 297 which included three fifties and three scores of 38. His 59 against Joburg Super Kings in DSG's last group may have been his highest score but a destructive 50 not out in Qualifier 2 also against JSK was his most important - combining with Heinrich Klaasen for a match-defining partnership. He top-scored for DSG in the Final, with 38, but with no support it was not enough to secure the title the Durbanites craved.

10. JORDAN HERMANN (SUNRISERS EASTERN CAPE)

Runs: 295 | Highest score: 106* vs MI Cape Town (A) | Average: 32.77 | Strike rate: 117.52 | 4s: 29 | 6s: 10

Jordan Hermann hinted at his promise in Season 1, but this campaign the 22-year-old left-hander arguably came of age. Entrusted with the opener's position, Hermann was steady throughout but showed maturity in two innings in particular. In Sunrisers' away fixture against MI Cape Town, Hermann carried his bat on the way to 106 not out and then, back at Newlands for the Final, his 42 and 90-run partnership with Tom Abell set up the game for the now two-time champions.