Batting first, the Royals posted a competitive 210 for five, thanks to Pretorius’s 51 off 34 balls, including five sixes and two fours. Contributions also came from opener Kyle Verreynne (30 off 15) and Dan Lawrence (36 off 23), while Asa Tribe added a late flourish of 30* off 16.
Chasing 211, the Super Kings collapsed early, losing three wickets for 14 runs in just four overs and four for 40 inside the powerplay. Viljoen struck with key scalps, removing Neil Trimmers, Matthew de Villiers, and Rivaldo Moonsamy early, while Ottneil Baartman picked up two more wickets as Joburg struggled to stabilize.
The Royals’ fielding unit, led by Nqobani Mokoena, dismissed opposition captain James Vince (47 off 29 balls) at a crucial stage when the Super Kings were 98 for five in the 12th over, effectively ending any chance of a comeback. The visitors eventually finished 174 for eight, handing the Royals a comfortable victory.
With this win, Paarl Royals advance to Qualifier 2 to face two-time champions Sunrisers Eastern Cape on Friday, with the winner set to clash against Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 final. Pretorius’s all-round performance and Viljoen’s incisive bowling were pivotal in securing the Royals’ place in the next stage.