PAARL ROYALS' PRETORIUS AND GALIEM SHARE CENTRE STAGE AT THE BULLRING

Paarl Royals duo Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dayyaan Galiem shone with bat and ball respectively to power the Titans to an emphatic 117-run victory over the Lions in the CSA T20 Challenge on Friday evening at the Wanderers.

Pretorius was in scintillating form in the competition opener with the Cornwall Hill College matriculant smashing a career-best 82 off 43 balls, including 10 boundaries and five sixes, to lift the Titans to an imposing 258/6.

Such is Pretorius’ precious talent that after being signed as a Rookie for Betway SA20 Season 2 by the Royals and despite missing the entire competition due to the teenager’s SA U19 commitments, he was incorporated into the main squad for Season 3. 

On the evidence of last night's belligerent batting display, the Royals have certainly made a secure investment.

Pretorius was supported by half-centuries from Titans skipper Keegan Petersen (68 off 40 balls) and Donovan Ferreira (53 off 19 balls).

Ferreira's swashbuckling cameo was a timely reminder that the Joburg Super Kings allrounder remains one of the most destructive finishers in South African cricket.

The Titans were on track to surpass 300 when Pretorius and Petersen were smashing it to all parts during their 152-run partnership, and it was only due to another Royals teenager Kwena Maphaka’s impressive control that reigned them in.

It was Maphaka that ultimately ended his former school friend and Royals teammate Pretorius' innings.

And on a night when the Lions bowlers were conceding 14 runs to the over, Maphaka showed composure beyond his years by delivering a fine death over spell to finish with the impressive figures of 2/31.

The Lions were never in the hunt as their run-chase imploded in the PowerPlay.

Sunrisers Eastern Cape veteran left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe (3/28) showed all his experience by striking in his first over upon his return to the Titans team after nearly a decade away before Galiem (3/22) got into his work.

The allrounder, who after being the joint-highest purchase at the Season 2 auction was traded from the Joburg Super Kings to the Royals for next season, hit just the right lengths in his opening over by having Muhammad Manack caught attempting to play a pull shot before delivering a beauty to knock over Lions captain and Royals teammate Mitchell van Buuren's off stump.

The impressive new-ball spell set the tone as the Lions slumped to 8/5 within the first three overs. 

From hereon it was only individual pride to play with former Royals allrounder Evan Jones doing his chances of being picked up in the third Betway SA20 auction on Tuesday, October 1 no harm at all with a defiant 83 off 48 balls.

Jones was released by the Royals after Season 2.

He formed a solid 75-run partnership with MI Cape Town allrounder Delano Potgieter (28) to add some respectability to the Lions’ total as the defending champions finished on a disappointing 141/8.