The Nelson Mandela Bay Giants subjected the Durban Heat to a nine-wicket defeat in Friday’s key Mzansi Super League fixture at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth.

The Heat slipped to a precarious 10 for three – and hardly recovered en route to a substandard final total of 127 for six. Proteas Morne van Wyk, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller shared a mere four runs.

They also lost captain Albie Morkel to injury. Morkel had to retire hurt on 28 after copping a painful blow to the hand – and didn’t bowl.

Fast bowlers Junior Dala and Chris Morris impressed the most in the visiting attack, snaring two wickets each. They were well supported by spinner Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso.

The Giants’ successful pursuit was built on the back of a hefty 94-run alliance inside 13 overs between openers Jon-Jon Smuts and Marco Marais. The pair failed to fire in the team’s opening two fixtures of the tournament, but combined superbly this time.

The veteran Vernon Philander eventually removed Marais for a 38-delivery 42, but Smuts graduated to a half-century, and alongside England star Ben Duckett sealed the hosts’ fate with 15 balls to spare. Smuts was fortunate though, after being dropped by deep square-leg fielder Keshav Maharaj on 47.

The result pushed the Giants to second position in the six-team standings, while the Heat slipped to fourth.

Saturday will see the log-leading Cape Town Blitz clash with the Jozi Stars at the Wanderers.