The 4-Day Series final at the DP World Wanderers delivered drama, resilience, and a thrilling finish as the DP World Lions edged out the Dafabet Warriors to claim a third consecutive title.
Day one saw the Warriors lay a solid foundation after being sent in to bat, thanks to centuries from Jordan Hermann (110 off 133 balls) and the young JP King (113* off 214). Hermann and King combined for a 111-run partnership, steadying the innings after an initial 68-run opening stand with Modiri Liteko (16). The Lions fought back, taking six wickets for just 50 runs, but King’s calm presence ensured the Warriors closed the day in a strong position. Delano Potgieter led the Lions’ bowling attack with 3 for 34, supported by Wiaan Mulder’s economical 2 for 36, but the other batters offered little, contributing just 42 runs combined.
The Warriors pushed past 300 on day two, with King falling for 123 and the team all out for 305. Their bowlers, led by a devastating Matthew Boast, then made inroads into the Lions’ first innings. Boast ripped through the top order, claiming 5 for 35, including key wickets of captain Dominic Hendricks (4) and Zubayr Hamza (6). Wiaan Mulder resisted with a patient 57, but the Lions were eventually bowled out for 193, still trailing by 112 runs. Codi Yusuf and Delano Potgieter kept the Lions’ hopes alive at the close, unbeaten on 11 and 40 respectively, setting up a tense final day.
Day three belonged to the Lions. With Boast sidelined by illness and the Warriors’ opener Modiri Litheko injured, the momentum shifted decisively. Delano Potgieter’s 88* anchored the Lions’ lower order, supported by contributions from Codi Yusuf (25) and Beyers Swanepoel (35*), taking the Lions to 295 and cutting the deficit to just 10. The seamers then took over. Yusuf claimed 5 for 34 and Swanepoel 4 for 31, skittling the Warriors for a mere 95 in their second innings. Jordan Hermann’s 25 was the only notable resistance as the Lions wrested control.
Chasing a modest 106 on day four, the Lions wrapped up the victory comfortably, losing only two wickets. Hamza made a swift 71*, captain Hendricks contributed 19, and Wandile Makwetu finished 12* as the Johannesburg side sealed a hard-fought triumph. Yusuf’s all-round display earned him Player of the Match honours, underscoring the Lions’ blend of experience and firepower that continues to dominate South African domestic cricket.
In a match that swung on fine margins and pivotal moments, the Warriors’ early batting heroics weren’t enough to counter the Lions’ depth and resilience. The 4-Day Series title now stays in Johannesburg for another year.