England’s Joe Root made an unbeaten 62 on his SA20 debut to guide Paarl Royals to a nine-wicket win over Sunrisers Eastern Cape.
Root, who last played a T20 for England in 2019, hit four fours and one six as Paarl chased 176 with eight balls to spare.
He was happy to play a supporting role to fellow opener and 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who smashed a brilliant 97 off 51 balls on his debut.
The left-hander hit all round the wicket and smacked 10 fours and six sixes as Eastern Cape’s bowlers strayed.
“Batting with Rooty just calmed me down, gave me some clarity and it was amazing. I’m lost for words,” Pretorius told Sky Sports.
“A lot of credit has to go to Rooty for only conceding four dot balls. He allowed me to get into a rhythm. He helped me a lot and I’m grateful for that.”
Defending champions Eastern Cape, who have now lost their opening two games, posted 175-5 with captain Aiden Markram making 82 off 49 balls.
Root will play in the majority of the tournament, but will leave for England’s 50-over series in India from 6 February.
Saturday’s other game saw Joburg Super Kings beat MI Cape Town by six runs on the DLS method after a rain-affected game.
Their chase was stopped twice, with the second time resulting in the end of the game.
Cape Town posted 140-6 with George Linde making 48 not out, and Joburg were 82-3 in the 12th over when the rain arrived.