Rutherford’s Blazing Knock Powers Pretoria Capitals to Commanding Victory Over MI Cape Town

Pretoria Capitals defeated MI Cape Town on the back of a strong performance delivered by Sherfane Rutherford. They thrashed MI Cape Town by 85 runs, as Rutherford starred with both bat and ball to give Capitals a first win of the SA20 2026 season. It was a commanding performance from them that gave MI Cape Town yet another defeat in the tournament.  

In today’s match, Pretoria Capitals showcased complete domination against MI Cape Town by scoring 220 in the first innings. A blazing partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Dewald Brevis gave Capitals the much-needed impetus to reach this total, despite a slow start to their innings.

The star-studded lineup of MI Cape Town faltered badly in the second innings, as Capitals bowlers took them under pressure and routed their whole innings for just 135 runs. They have now lost two matches in the tournament, which means their management will need to come up with a renewed strategy for the next game.

Batting first, Pretoria Capitals lost Bryce Parsons early in the Powerplay. Despite his dismissal, Capitals didn’t change their plans, as they took down the MI Cape Town bowlers confidently to maintain a high scoring rate. Shai Hope was the main aggressor at the start of the innings, as he kept hitting boundaries to negate the pressure applied by the MI Cape Town bowlers.

The partnership of Shai Hope and Wihan Lubbe in the middle part of the innings was highly crucial. Both of them played with authority to strike MI Cape Town bowlers who looked out of touch in today’s game. Shai Hope then lost his wicket in the 15th over after scoring classy 45 runs off just 30 balls.

Wihan Lubbe was also dismissed in the very next over after scoring magnificent 60 runs. His knock was especially impressive, as he struck 7 fours and 2 sixes at a high strike rate of 166. The dismissal of Lubbe then brought Sherfane Rutherford to the crease, who immediately changed the tempo of the innings with breathtaking hitting.

Sherfane Rutherford showcased his full hitting range in the clash against MI Cape Town. He struck at an unbelievable strike rate of 313, hitting 6 gigantic sixes at the end of the innings. By scoring quick 47 runs off just 15 balls, he powered Pretoria Capitals to post a massive total of 220 in the first innings of the match.

A Disappointing Run Chase for MI Cape Town

The batting innings of MI Cape Town started on a high note, as both openers scored quick runs in the Powerplay. The in-form Ryan Rickelton was looking especially impressive, however, he lost his wicket in the 6th over after scoring 33 runs.

Rassie van der Dussen and Reeza Hendricks then tried to lift the tempo of the innings, but they were also dismissed quickly due to fine bowling by Bryce Parsons and Sherfane Rutherford. The incoming batter, Nicholas Pooran, then showcased his brute hitting power by smashing four big sixes. He looked well set to strike more boundaries in the middle overs, however, Keshav Maharaj removed him with a well-executed bowling plan.

After the dismissal of Nicholas Pooran, MI Cape Town suffered a dramatic collapse. Their lower order didn’t put up any fight, as batters kept losing their wickets one after another. Due to that, the entire MI Cape Town team was skittled for just 135, handing Pretoria Capitals a big victory by 85 runs.