New South Australia cricket captain Michael Klinger and returning international Callum Ferguson helped the Redbacks to an 11-run win over South Africa's Highveld Lions in their first Champions League Twenty20 game at SuperSport Park.
SA lost the toss and made 6-178, with Klinger (78 off 48 balls) and Ferguson (47 off 27) piling on 97 in a third wicket stand in nine and a half overs.
It was 25-year-old Ferguson's first major innings in 11 months, since he suffered a serious knee injury at the same ground while playing in the Champions Trophy final.
In reply, the Lions, who beat Mumbai Indians in their first Group B game last Friday, lost wickets at regular intervals and finished at 8-167.
Express paceman Shaun Tait (3-36) was the Redbacks most successful bowler, taking one wicket in the first over and two in his second spell.
Captain Alviro Petersen (56 off 35) was the only significant contributor to the Lions chase, the South Africans unable to muster a single 50 partnership. Klinger, who replaced Graham Manou as captain for this season, notched his first Twenty20 half century in 14 innings.
Ferguson struck seven boundaries, while Klinger tallied six fours and five sixes.
SA play their next match against Mumbai in Durban, while Australian Twenty20 champions Victoria open their campaign against South Africa's Warriors in Port Elizabeth on Monday.
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