Paarl Royals’ 49 all out against Sunrisers Eastern Cape at Paarl on 27 December 2025 is the lowest team total in SA20 history, achieved in just 11.5 overs, while Pretoria Capitals’ 52 in 2024 stands as the second lowest.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape feature in five of the top ten lowest totals as the bowling side, highlighting their sustained dominance. The lowest team totals in SA20 underline the decisive influence of bowling and pitch conditions throughout the season. In this article, we highlight the lowest team totals in SA20 history, along with other record-breaking low scores and match-defining bowling performances.
Top 10 Lowest Team Scores in SA20 History
Look at the top 10 lowest team scores in SA20. This will show instances of batting failures, the venues where the matches took place, and the results of those matches.
| Team | Score | Overs | Run Rate | Inns | Opposition | Ground | Result | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paarl Royals | 49 | 11.5 | 4.14 | 2 | Sunrisers | Paarl | Lost | 27 Dec 2025 |
| Pretoria Capitals | 52 | 13.3 | 3.85 | 1 | Sunrisers | Gqeberha | Lost | 22 Jan 2024 |
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | 77 | 15.0 | 5.13 | 2 | MI Cape Town | Gqeberha | Lost | 9 Jan 2025 |
| Joburg Super Kings | 78 | 15.2 | 5.08 | 1 | Sunrisers | Johannesburg | Lost | 31 Jan 2024 |
| Durban Super Giants | 80 | 18.1 | 4.40 | 1 | Pretoria Capitals | Durban | Lost | 20 Jan 2023 |
| Joburg Super Kings | 81 | 17.2 | 4.67 | 1 | Paarl Royals | Paarl | Lost | 13 Jan 2023 |
| Paarl Royals | 83 | 13.2 | 6.22 | 2 | Durban Super Giants | Durban | Lost | 28 Jan 2024 |
| Durban Super Giants | 86 | 17.1 | 5.00 | 1 | Joburg Super Kings | Durban | Lost | 30 Dec 2025 |
| Durban Super Giants | 86 | 14.4 | 5.86 | 2 | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Gqeberha | Lost | 22 Jan 2023 |
| MI Cape Town | 88 | 18.4 | 4.71 | 1 | Paarl Royals | Cape Town | Lost | 4 Jan 2026 |
These low totals highlight difficult batting conditions, exceptional bowling discipline, and sustained pressure that forced repeated collapses and prevented teams from building partnerships in crucial SA20 matches.
1. Paarl Royals vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape
Sunrisers Eastern Cape delivered one of the most dominant performances in SA20 history, crushing Paarl Royals by 137 runs in the 3rd match at Paarl on December 27, 2025. Batting first, Sunrisers posted 186/4, setting an imposing target of 187. Paarl Royals suffered a historic collapse, bowled out for just 49 in 11.5 overs, the lowest total in SA20 history.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje was exceptional, earning Player of the Match honors with figures of 4 wickets for 13 runs, dismantling the Royals’ top and middle order with sheer pace. Jordan Hermann played a crucial all-round role, contributing significantly to the Sunrisers’ dominance in this one-sided contest.
2. Pretoria Capitals vs Sunrisers
Sunrisers Eastern Cape registered one of the most emphatic wins in SA20 history by dismantling Pretoria Capitals for just 52 in the 15th match at Gqeberha on January 22, 2024. Batting first, Capitals collapsed inside 6.5 overs, recording the second-lowest total in SA20 and one of the fastest team dismissals in the league.
Ottneil Baartman produced a match-winning spell, claiming 4 wickets for 12 runs, exploiting seam movement and relentless accuracy to rip through the top and middle order. Sunrisers chased the modest 53-run target with ease, reaching 54/1 and sealing victory by 9 wickets with 79 balls remaining, highlighting their dominance. Daniel Worrall added further bowling impact, underlining the Sunrisers’ complete control in this one-sided contest.
3. Sunrisers Eastern Cape vs MI Cape Town
MI Cape Town began the SA20 2025 season with a dominant statement, crushing Sunrisers Eastern Cape by 97 runs in the 1st match at Gqeberha on January 9, 2025. MICT posted a competitive 174/7, with late momentum proving decisive. Delano Potgieter delivered a historic all-round performance, earning Player of the Match honors after smashing 25 off 12 balls* and then tearing through Sunrisers with sensational figures of 5/10, one of the best bowling performances in SA20 history.
Sunrisers collapsed for just 77 in 15 overs, registering one of their lowest-ever totals. The chase unraveled rapidly as wickets fell in clusters against sustained pace and bounce. Dewald Brevis played a crucial role with impactful batting and fielding, underlining MI Cape Town’s complete control in a one-sided season opener.
4. Joburg Super Kings vs Sunrisers
Sunrisers Eastern Cape extended their dominance in SA20 2024 with a commanding 9-wicket victory over Joburg Super Kings in the 25th match at Johannesburg on January 31, 2024. Batting first, Super Kings were bundled out for just 78, one of the lowest totals of the season, as their innings lasted only 11 overs.
Daniel Worrall delivered a decisive spell, claiming 3 wickets for 20 runs and applying relentless pressure through disciplined seam bowling. His performance earned him both Player of the Match honors. Sunrisers chased the modest 79-run target efficiently, reaching 79/1 with 54 balls remaining, reflecting their clinical approach. The one-sided contest highlighted Sunrisers’ bowling depth and their ability to capitalize ruthlessly on batting collapses in pressure situations.
5. Durban Super Giants vs Capitals
Pretoria Capitals registered a dominant early-season win in SA20 2023, defeating Durban’s Super Giants by 8 wickets in the 15th match at Durban on January 20, 2023. Batting first, Super Giants were dismissed for just 80, failing to build partnerships as wickets fell regularly on a two-paced surface.
Senuran Muthusamy produced a decisive bowling performance, earning Player of the Match honors with figures of 3/12, using accuracy and variation to control the middle overs. Chasing a modest 81-run target, Capitals finished the match in just 7.4 overs, reaching 84/2 with 74 balls remaining, underlining their dominance. Will Jacks, contributed with impactful batting and fielding, ensuring a comfortable victory and highlighting the Capitals’ strong all-round balance in the tournament’s inaugural season.
6. Joburg Super Kings vs Paarl Royals
Paarl Royals secured a convincing 7-wicket victory over Joburg Super Kings in the 4th match of SA20 2023 at Paarl on January 13. Super Kings struggled after opting to bat first, collapsing to 81 all out, one of the lowest totals of the inaugural season.
Bjorn Fortuin delivered a match-winning spell, earning Player of the Match after returning figures of 3 wickets for 16 runs. His left-arm spin choked the middle order and prevented any recovery. Chasing a modest 82-run target, the Royals reached 82/3 in 10.3 overs, winning with 57 balls remaining. The clinical chase underlined Paarl’s composure under pressure, while Fortuin’s all-round impact reinforced his importance in SA20 2023 as a reliable wicket-taking option in the powerplay and middle overs.
7. Paarl Royals vs Super Giants
Durban’s Super Giants produced a commanding performance in SA20 2024, overwhelming Paarl Royals by 125 runs in the 22nd match at Durban on January 28. Batting first, Super Giants posted a formidable 208/7, one of the highest totals of the season, built around Matthew Breetzke’s 78 off 43 balls. His innings combined power and placement, featuring a strike rate above 180, and earned him Player of the Match.
Chasing 209, Paarl Royals collapsed to 83 in 13.2 overs, never recovering from early wickets. The Super Giants’ bowling unit maintained relentless pressure, forcing regular dismissals and preventing partnerships. The one-sided result highlighted Durban’s dominance with both bat and ball and underscored Breetzke’s growing reputation as a consistent top-order performer in SA20.
8. Durban Super Giants vs Super Kings
Joburg Super Kings secured a controlled 6-wicket victory over Durban’s Super Giants in the 6th match of SA20 2025 at Durban on December 30. Batting first, Super Giants were restricted to 86 all out, one of the lowest totals of the season, after struggling to build partnerships on a slow surface.
Prenelan Subrayen delivered the decisive spell, earning Player of the Match and Cricinfo’s MVP honors with figures of 3/16, using disciplined off-spin to stifle scoring and force errors. Chasing a modest 87-run target, Super Kings reached 88/4 in 12.2 overs, winning with 46 balls remaining. The efficient chase reflected their composure under minimal pressure. Subrayen’s impact highlighted the value of spin control in SA20 conditions and reinforced his role as a reliable wicket-taker in the middle overs.
9. Durban Super Giants vs Sunrisers
Sunrisers Eastern Cape delivered a record-setting performance in SA20 2023, thrashing Durban’s Super Giants by 124 runs in the 19th match at Gqeberha on January 22. Batting first, Sunrisers piled up a massive 210/2, one of the highest totals of the inaugural season, applying relentless pressure from the outset. In response, Super Giants collapsed to 86 in 14.4 overs, failing to cope with sustained spin and scoreboard pressure.
Roelof van der Merwe produced one of the greatest bowling spells in SA20 history, claiming an extraordinary 6 wickets for 20 runs, the best bowling figures of the tournament, and earning Player of the Match honors. Adam Rossington played a pivotal role with aggressive batting and sharp wicketkeeping, capping a completely one-sided contest dominated by the Sunrisers in all departments.
10. MI Cape Town vs Paarl Royals
Paarl Royals claimed a clinical 7-wicket victory over MI Cape Town in the 13th match of SA20 2026 at Cape Town on January 4. Batting first, MI Cape Town were dismissed for 88, struggling to gain momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals on a slow surface.
Sikandar Raza delivered a standout all-round performance, earning Player of the Match honors with superb figures of 4 wickets for 13 runs and contributing three sharp catches in the field. His impact restricted MI Cape Town to one of their lowest totals in SA20 history. Chasing 89, Paarl Royals reached 90/3 in 13 overs, sealing the win with 42 balls remaining. Raza underlines his value as a match-winning all-rounder in pressure situations.
Lowest Match Aggregates in SA20 History
This table highlights the lowest match aggregates in SA20 history, showcasing games in which the combined team scores were unusually low.
| Team 1 | Team 2 | Total Runs | Total Wickets | Overs | Run Rate | Ground | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrisers Eastern Cape | Pretoria Capitals | 106 | 11 | 20.2 | 5.21 | Gqeberha | 22 Jan 2024 |
| Joburg Super Kings | Sunrisers Eastern Cape | 157 | 11 | 26.2 | 5.96 | Johannesburg | 31 Jan 2024 |
| Paarl Royals | Joburg Super Kings | 163 | 13 | 27.5 | 5.85 | Paarl | 13 Jan 2023 |
| Durban Super Giants | Pretoria Capitals | 164 | 12 | 25.5 | 6.34 | Durban | 20 Jan 2023 |
| Durban Super Giants | Joburg Super Kings | 174 | 14 | 29.3 | 5.89 | Durban | 30 Dec 2025 |
The Sunrisers vs Capitals match at Gqeberha (2024) produced the lowest SA20 aggregate of 106, with the Capitals dismissed for 52. Super Kings vs Sunrisers (157) and Royals vs Super Kings (163) followed, driven by collapses. Durban hosted two low-aggregate games, highlighting seam-friendly conditions and disciplined bowling that consistently restricted scoring across both innings.
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Conclusion – Paarl Royals Recorded SA20’s Lowest Score!
Paarl Royals hold the SA20 record for the lowest team total, scoring 49 all out against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2025. SA20’s lowest team totals underline how bowling quality and pitch behavior have shaped the tournament’s most one-sided matches.
These records highlight SA20’s competitive balance, where disciplined attacks can dominate even established batting lineups, with early wickets, powerplay control, and middle-over pressure repeatedly proving decisive in determining outcomes.
FAQs
Paarl Royals’ 49 all out against Sunrisers Eastern Cape on 27 December 2025 is the lowest total recorded.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape feature most frequently as the bowling side in sub-90 totals.
Gqeberha and Durban account for the majority of the lowest team totals, indicating bowler-friendly conditions.
No. Most of the lowest SA20 totals occurred while batting first, not chasing.
Early wickets, powerplay pressure, disciplined bowling, and helpful pitch behavior.
