Lions and Titans into 4-day final as tuskers treble

Lions and Titans Set for High-Stakes 4-Day Final as Tuskers Clinch Historic Domestic Treble

Summary
The 2024–25 South African domestic cricket season has come to a thrilling close with the DP World Lions and Momentum Multiply Titans locking horns in the Division 1 4-Day Series Final, while Division 2 saw ACDC Express Tuskers complete a rare treble despite a rain-affected final. Dramatic last-round results, inclement weather, and standout individual performances have all set the stage for a memorable finish at the Wanderers.

Titans, Lions Book Final Berths as Dolphins Fall Short

Cricket South Africa’s top-tier 4-Day Domestic Series has always been a hotbed for emerging talent and fierce regional rivalries, and the 2024–25 season was no different. Heading into the final round, three teams Lions, Titans, and Dolphins had legitimate claims for a place in the final.

The DP World Lions, with a table-topping 115.14 points, sailed into the final without bowling a single delivery as persistent rain washed out their clash with the Knights. While frustrating for purists, the Lions’ dominant form all season justified their position at the summit.

The real drama unfolded in Centurion, where the Titans' rain-affected match against Boland turned into a game of numbers. Despite the interruptions, Titans racked up quick runs thanks to a blistering 117 from Rivaldo Moonsamy and a late-innings assault by Dewald Brevis to pocket just enough bonus points. Their 108.56 points narrowly pushed them past the Dolphins, who would come heartbreakingly close in Gqeberha.

Warriors Spoil Dolphins’ Party in Gqeberha

The Dafabet Warriors may not have had much to play for, but they certainly played for pride. The only completed match in the final round, their clash with the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, turned into a classic.

Led by a commanding performance from captain Senuran Muthusamy, who scored an unbeaten 106 in the first innings and followed it up with a match-winning five-wicket haul, the Warriors handed the Dolphins a 37-run defeat and dashed their hopes of reaching the final.

The Dolphins, chasing a massive 382, were anchored by Khaya Zondo’s magnificent 118. Contributions from Jason Smith (54) and a resilient Eathan Bosch (80*) kept the chase alive. But the pressure of a towering target ultimately proved too much. Their 344 all-out sealed their fate  third on the table, 0.9 points behind the Titans.

Titans Take Their Chance at Supersport Park

If the Titans needed a statement, they delivered one in style. Facing Goldrush Boland at Supersport Park, they took full advantage of the time available before rain curtailed proceedings.

Boland’s 252, courtesy of Pieter Malan’s gritty 118, was met with a rapid-fire response. Moonsamy's ton, Brevis’ 80 not out, and Neil Brand’s run-a-ball 61 helped the Titans to 323 for 6 in just 48.5 overs a calculated counterpunch that was less about chasing a win and more about maximizing bonus points.

The result? A crucial leap over Dolphins on the points table and a ticket to the Wanderers for the final. Boland, meanwhile, closed their season in fourth place with a commendable 97 points.

Tuskers Celebrate a Season for the Ages

While Division 1 prepares for a blockbuster final, Division 2 has already crowned its champions in an unconventional but fitting fashion. The ACDC Express Tuskers’ clash with Northern Cape Heat in Pietermaritzburg was washed out without a result, leading to a shared trophy.

The draw, however, was just the final piece in a season of dominance for the Tuskers. Winners of the T20 Knock-Out and co-champions of the One-Day Cup, they’ve now added the 4-Day Series trophy to complete a domestic treble a rare feat in modern South African cricket.

Before the rain came down, Tuskers made a strong start, reducing the Heat to 83 for 4 with sharp bowling from Ziyaad Abrahams, Mbulelo Budaza, Marcello Piedt, and Sean Whitehead. Ernest Kemm’s unbeaten 54 and Abel Mokwena’s 26 ensured the Heat had a foundation before the skies opened.

Both teams walk away with shared honours, but it’s the Tuskers who emerge as the season’s most decorated team.

Wanderers Awaits: A Rivalry Renewed

Now, all eyes turn to the DP World Wanderers Stadium, where the Lions and Titans two of the country’s most storied franchises will battle for red-ball supremacy in a five-day final starting April 10.

The Lions, unbeaten and armed with home advantage, boast a balanced side that has excelled across departments. The Titans, reigning champions, have relied on calculated aggression and timely performances, making them worthy adversaries.

This clash is more than a final it’s a celebration of South African domestic cricket’s depth and vitality. With talents like Brevis, Brand, Moonsamy, Williams, and Muthusamy making headlines, the national selectors will be watching closely.

Domestic Cricket's Pulse Remains Strong

Rain delays, final-day drama, shared trophies, and last-over heartbreaks the 2024–25 season delivered it all. It showcased the resilience of players, the competitiveness of teams, and the growth of cricket beyond the bright lights of the international game.

Whether it's the Titans’ rise, the Lions’ consistency, the Tuskers' treble, or the Warriors’ final flourish, the season reminds us that domestic cricket remains a vital cog in South Africa’s cricketing machinery not just for producing Proteas but for keeping the heartbeat of the sport alive.

As the 4-Day Series final begins, it's not just about who wins it's about honouring the journey that brought them there.