SA20 league have firmly established its hierarchy, and at the summit sits a dynasty in orange. On January 25, 2026, at the iconic Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town, Sunrisers Eastern Cape etched their names into the record books by defeating Pretoria Capitals in a high-stakes final. With this victory, the Sunrisers clinched a historic third consecutive SA20 title, proving their mettle as the most dominant franchise in South African T20 history.
The night was defined by tactical brilliance, a resilient middle-order recovery, and a post-match moment that has since gone viral. As the winning runs were hit, the cameras immediately turned to Sunrisers owner Kavya Maran, whose unbridled joy perfectly captured the magnitude of the achievement.
Kavya Maran shares an emotional hug with captain Tristan Stubbs in jubilant celebrations
In the immediate aftermath of the winning boundary, the celebrations moved from the pitch to the dugout. In a heartwarming scene that quickly began trending across sports platforms, Sunrisers owner Kavya was seen sprinting onto the field to congratulate her squad. The highlight of the festivities was a joyous hug between Maran and captain Tristan Stubbs.
Stubbs, who led the side with immense composure throughout the tournament, was enveloped in a celebratory embrace by Maran, whose passion for the ‘Orange Army’ is well-documented. For fans, the gesture symbolized the deep-rooted bond within the franchise, a blend of corporate support and genuine sporting emotion. The video of the embrace has become the defining image of the 2026 season, showcasing a leader and an owner basking in the glory of a ‘three-peat’ that many thought was impossible in such a competitive league.
Here’s the video:
Sunrisers Eastern Cape owner Kavya Maran lived every moment on her team’s journey to claiming their third #BetwaySA20 Title 👌#PCvSEC #WelcomeToIncredible pic.twitter.com/53nyeNyuwk
— Betway SA20 (@SA20_League) January 26, 2026
Also READ: Fans erupt as Dewald Brevis lights up SA20 final with a historic hundred during Pretoria Capitals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape game
Sunrisers Eastern Cape clinch historic third SA20 title
The final was a tactical rollercoaster. Choosing to bat first, the Capitals found themselves in immediate trouble. Marco Jansen lived up to his big-match reputation, removing Connor Esterhuizen for a duck in the first over. While Dewald Brevis played a spectacular, lone-warrior innings, smashing 101 off 55 balls, the rest of the Capitals’ lineup struggled against the Sunrisers’ disciplined attack. Jansen’s clinical figures of 3/10 and Sipamla’s crucial breakthroughs restricted the Capitals to a total of 158/7.
The Sunrisers’ chase began on shaky ground. The Newlands surface offered plenty for the bowlers, and early strikes by Lungi Ngidi and Lizaad Williams left the defending champions reeling at 48/4 by the ninth over. With the pressure of a final mounting, the Sunrisers needed a miracle.
Enter Matthew Breetzke and captain Stubbs. The pair showcased incredible temperament, refusing to succumb to the rising required rate. Breetzke played the anchor role to perfection, finishing on an unbeaten 68 off 49, while Stubbs accelerated at the right moments to score 63 off 41*. Their unbeaten 114-run partnership for the fifth wicket dismantled the Capitals’ bowling plans.
The Eastern Cape reached the target of 159 with four balls to spare, finishing at 162/4. The victory not only secured the trophy but cemented Stubbs’ legacy as a championship-winning captain, supported by an owner whose heart beats for every run scored by her team.
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