T20 cricket is famous for big shots, quick scoring, and high totals. Teams often post huge scores, and batters usually dominate matches. But sometimes cricket reminds everyone that bowlers and pressure can still control the game. Some matches in SA20 show that even small scores can be defended with discipline and smart tactics. These moments give us the list of the lowest totals defended in SA20 history.
In such matches, early wickets, tight lines, dot balls, and sharp fielding change the direction of the game. The required run rate rises, and even simple chases start to feel complicated. These rare matches prove that confidence and teamwork can be just as powerful as big hitting. All the games in this list are examples of lowest totals defended in SA20, where belief and composure made the real difference.
Table of Contents
List of 5 Lowest Totals Defended in SA20 History
5. Durban Super Giants defend 145 vs Joburg Super Kings (2024)
This match between Durban Super Giants (DSG) and Joburg Super Kings (JSK) in January 2024 is a classic example of the lowest totals defended in SA20 where bowlers took control. Durban Super Giants struggled while batting, and most players could not score big. Heinrich Klaasen, however, stayed calm and played a fighting knock of 64 from 41 balls, helping DSG reach 145 runs. Lizaad Williams was excellent for JSK, taking four wickets and breaking the innings.
Chasing 146, Joburg Super Kings faced the same difficulties. Reeza Hendricks and Moeen Ali tried to build partnerships, but regular wickets created nonstop pressure. Reece Topley bowled with great discipline and took three wickets at key moments. JSK were bowled out for 108, and DSG won by 37 runs. This match clearly fits into the lowest totals defended in SA20, showing how pressure can beat even short targets.
| Category | Details |
| Season | 2024 |
| Venue | SA20 League Match |
| DSG Total | 145 |
| Top scorer (DSG) | Heinrich Klaasen – 64 (41) |
| Best bowler (JSK) | Lizaad Williams – 4 wickets |
| JSK Total | 108 |
| Best bowler (DSG) | Reece Topley – 3 wickets |
| Result | DSG won by 37 runs |
ALSO READ: Top 10 Best All Rounders in WPL History
4. MI Cape Town defend 142 vs Paarl Royals (2023)
Another example in the list of lowest totals defended in SA20 came in 2023 when MI Cape Town defended 142 against Paarl Royals at Boland Park. Batting first, MI Cape Town reached 142 in 20 overs, largely because of Rassie van der Dussen’s valuable 49. The score did not look very high, but it turned out to be enough.
During the chase, Jos Buttler led Paarl Royals with a strong knock of 68 runs and seemed to take the game away. However, the turning point came when Jofra Archer dismissed Buttler in the 18th over. After that wicket, the Royals collapsed under pressure and finished on 129, losing by 13 runs. This match showed how one breakthrough can completely change the result and why it deserves a place among the lowest totals defended in SA20.
| Category | Details |
| Season | 2023 |
| Venue | Boland Park |
| MI Cape Town Total | 142 |
| Top scorer (MICT) | Rassie van der Dussen – 49 |
| Paarl Royals Total | 129 |
| Top scorer (PR) | Jos Buttler – 68 |
| Best bowler (MICT) | Jofra Archer – key wicket of Buttler |
| Result | MI Cape Town won by 13 runs |
3. Paarl Royals defend 140 vs Pretoria Capitals (2025)
The third entry in the lowest totals defended in SA20 list comes from 2025, when Paarl Royals defended 140 against Pretoria Capitals. Pretoria bowled first and struck early, picking up two wickets inside four overs. Joe Root then took responsibility, stayed calm, and guided the innings beautifully. His superb 78 from 56 balls carried Paarl Royals to 140.
Pretoria Capitals’ chase also began poorly, losing three wickets in the powerplay. Will Jacks scored a half-century, and Kyle Verreynne supported with 30 runs, but both fell at crucial times. Lower-order batters could not finish the job under pressure. Royals won by 11 runs, adding to the list of lowest totals defended in SA20, proving that experience and discipline matter as much as big scores.
| Category | Details |
| Season | 2025 |
| Paarl Royals Total | 140 |
| Top scorer (PR) | Joe Root – 78 (56) |
| Pretoria Capitals Early Wickets | 3 inside powerplay |
| Key scorers (PC) | Will Jacks – 50+, Kyle Verreynne – 30 |
| Result margin | Royals won by 11 runs |
| Match type | SA20 League Match |
2. Pretoria Capitals defend 138 vs Paarl Royals (2025–26)
Second on the list of lowest totals defended in SA20 is Pretoria Capitals’ defence of 138 against Paarl Royals in the 2025–26 season. Pretoria’s innings struggled to gain momentum, but Sherfane Rutherford stayed till the end with an unbeaten 42 off 35 balls, taking them to 138.
Paarl Royals’ chase started badly when Lhuan-dre Pretorius fell for a duck. Bowlers Roston Chase and Keshav Maharaj delivered extremely tight spells, allowing no easy runs. David Miller tried to fight back with 45 from 36 balls, but lacked support from the other end. Royals were restricted to 117, losing by 21 runs. This match again showed why such games become famous as lowest totals defended in SA20, where smart bowling beats chasing comfort.
| Category | Details |
| Season | 2025–26 |
| Pretoria Capitals Total | 138 |
| Top scorer (PC) | Sherfane Rutherford – 42* (35) |
| Paarl Royals Total | 117 |
| Top scorer (PR) | David Miller – 45 (36) |
| Best bowlers (PC) | Roston Chase, Keshav Maharaj – economical spells |
| Result | Pretoria Capitals won by 21 runs |
1. Pretoria Capitals defend 125 vs Sunrisers Eastern Cape (2024)
The number one match in the lowest totals defended in SA20 history is Pretoria Capitals’ defence of just 125 against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in January 2024 at Centurion. Pretoria started well with Phil Salt, but then lost wickets too quickly. Shane Dadswell and James Neesham tried to control the innings, yet the team could only reach 125.
Chasing 126, Sunrisers Eastern Cape looked comfortable on paper, but Pretoria Capitals’ bowlers showed outstanding determination. Adil Rashid and Wayne Parnell took three wickets each, keeping constant pressure on batters. Tristan Stubbs scored 35, and Liam Dawson made 29 not out, but still Sunrisers failed to finish the chase. Pretoria won in the final over, making this the greatest example of lowest totals defended in SA20 history.
| Category | Details |
| Season | 2024 |
| Pretoria Capitals Total | 125 |
| Key contributors (bat) | Phil Salt, Shane Dadswell, James Neesham |
| Best bowlers (PC) | Adil Rashid – 3 wickets, Wayne Parnell – 3 wickets |
| Top scorers (SEC) | Tristan Stubbs – 35, Liam Dawson – 29* |
| Target | 126 |
| Result | Pretoria Capitals defended successfully |
FAQs
Q1. What does lowest totals defended in SA20 mean?
It means matches where a team scored a small total but still stopped the opposition from chasing it. The bowling and fielding team successfully defended a low score and won the match.
Q2. Which team holds the record for the lowest total defended in SA20 history?
Pretoria Capitals hold the record for the lowest totals defended in SA20, when they defended only 125 runs against Sunrisers Eastern Cape in 2024.
Q3. How do teams defend low totals in SA20 matches?
Teams defend low totals through tight bowling, early wickets, dot balls, smart field placements, and by keeping pressure on batters. Teamwork is the key in these lowest totals defended in SA20 matches.
Q4. Are low-scoring matches common in SA20?
No, they are rare. SA20 usually has high scores, but occasionally we see lowest totals defended in SA20 when bowlers dominate and conditions help them.