After the frustration of their third draw due to weather conditions, the Tshwane Spartans used their chances on Sunday in Johannesburg when they were able to take on the defending champion in the Mzansi Super League in sunshine weather.

With their 20-run victory, the Spartans have not only shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in this year’s tournament, but supporters of the Centurion-based team will also be delighted with the shining innings of their world star, AB de Villiers.

He delivered his first big performance of the season, striking 53 off 33 balls.

Despite the fact that three of their five games so far have all been abandoned due to rain, the Spartans still boasts a third place on the tournament’s log after Sunday’s success in Johannesburg.

The Tshwane Spartans capitalised on a late batting meltdown by the Jozi Stars to snatch this victory where defeat looked almost a certainty in their MSL derby encounter at the Imperial Wanderers Stadium.

On a day that Chris Gayle finally delivered – the West Indian superstar plundered 54 off 27 balls – to set the defending champions up for what looked like a first win of the season as they eyed a 156-run victory target.

However, from 122 for three and only 34 required from 38 balls, they imploded spectacularly to be dismissed for 135.

It meant the last seven wickets fell for 13 runs with Morné Morkel the biggest benefactor, finishing with three for 21 in 3.3 overs.

Roelof van der Merwe claimed two for 11, while England paceman Tom Curran, who picked up the early wickets, recorded three for 30.

The result meant that the Stars, the winners of the inaugural title last year, have now lost six out of six and are affectively already out of play-off contention.

For the Spartans, their current third place on the log continue to show a vast improvement compared to last season where they finished second bottom.

It was, however, not all plain sailing for Mark Boucher’s side, who slipped to 47 for four after winning the toss and batting.

An Aaron Phangiso (2/32) double pegged the Spartans back early with Theunis de Bruyn (0), Dean Elgar (18), Van der Merwe (5) and Heinrich Klaasen (10) all gone inside the first 10 overs.

But De Villiers and Pite van Biljon (45) rebuilt with a 63-run fifth-wicket stand that proved key in helping their side recover to 155 for six.

The Tshwane Spartans return to SuperSport Park in Centurion this week when they play against the Paarl Rocks on Friday (29 February). The game will start at 17:30.

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