JOHANNESBURG - The Sunrisers Eastern Cape hit yet another speedbump in their quest to defend their SA20 title.
The two-time champions suffered a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of the Joburg Super Kings.
Sunrises captain Aiden Markram won the toss and elected to bat first.
This decision backfired from the onset, and it was Super Kings paceman Lutho Sipamla at the heart of their problems.
Sipamla sent both Zak Crawley and Tom Abell packing without scoring a single run.
David Beddingham was top scorer for the Sunrises with his 48 runs.
The visitors were eventually bowled out for 118 runs with Sipamla ending the innings with four for 24 runs.
In reply, the home side cruised to victory.
Opener Devon Conway frustrated the Sunrises bowlers to reach an unbeaten 76 runs.
The Super Kings would go on to reach the winnings runs of 119 for one.