With a second scorching half-century in the Paarl Royals’ Cape derby six-wicket victory against MI Cape Town at Boland Park on Wednesday, rising prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius is quickly becoming an instant SA20 superstar.

Pretorius followed up his debut 97 at the same venue with a 52-ball 83 that included three sixes and eight boundaries.

The 18-year-old has quickly gained popularity among Royals supporters.

In order to exact revenge for Monday night’s loss at Newlands, Pretorius used two missed catches to propel the home side to win by six wickets while chasing down MI Cape Town’s 158/4.

With a few of sixes over the leg-side boundary, the strong left-hander was especially harsh on left-arm spinner George Linde, but he still hit the ball nicely all around Boland Park.

Only a brilliant fielding move by MI Cape Town skipper Rashid Khan (1/22), who threw the stumps down with a straight smash, ended Pretorius’ innings.

However, Pretorius had already caused the most of the damage, allowing Royals captain David Miller to easily lead his side to victory with an unbeaten 22.

Rassie van der Dussen’s 91 not out off 64 balls (five fours and five sixes) earlier helped MI Cape Town fight their way to a respectable score.

With a strong 30 in 27 balls, including a four and a six, Reeza Hendricks offered assistance, but the home team grabbed charge when he was clean bowled for the second time by Royals mystery spinner Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.

The spin-friendly conditions were exploited by Mujeeb (2/27), Joe Root (1/24), and Sri Lankan debutant Dunith Wellalage (0/17) as they tightened the noose on the MI Cape Town middle-order.

The Royals moved into equal second position with the Johannesburg Super Kings with eight points, and it turned out to be the difference that night. With nine points, MI Cape Town leads the standings, however they have one more game played than their two nearest competitors.