Reeza Hendricks struck 157 off 135 balls as the Central Gauteng Lions beat the Northerns Titans by three wickets in Centurion on Wednesday.
Needing 319 to win the One-Day Cup final, the Lions were cruising to victory at 194-2 after 28 overs before slumping to 214-6 in the 32nd over.
But Hendricks, who was dropped early on in his innings, got the support he needed from Bjorn Fortuin (62* off 57). Together they put on 90 for the seventh wicket before Hendricks was caught off the first ball of the 48th over.
Fortuin and Malusi Siboto then got the visitors over the line with Fortuin smashing a big six off the first ball of the last over.
Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi picked up three wickets for the Titans but conceded 79 runs in his 10 overs.
Earlier, the Titans – who had topped the log after the league stage of the tournament – posted 318-6 in their 50 overs.
Corbin Bosch top-scored with 79* off 59 balls, with Neil Brand making 73 off 84 and Sibonelo Makhanya 60 off 37.
Codi Yusuf took 3-59 in his 10 overs for the Lions.
🦁 #1DayCup CHAMPIONS! 🏆
A run chase for the ages!
An iconic night for the Imperial Lions at SuperSport Park. #LionsCricket #ThePrideOfJozi #1DayCupFinal pic.twitter.com/AzZc7bKQT5
— Imperial Lions (@LionsCricketSA) April 6, 2022