Faf du Plessis finished as the ETPL’s leading run-scorer, while Andries Gous delivered the innings that secured Edinburgh Castle Rockers the inaugural title.
Du Plessis claimed the player-of-the-tournament award after scoring 449 runs for Rotterdam Dockers, but Sunday’s final belonged to Gous, whose unbeaten 90 guided Edinburgh to a seven-wicket win over Belfast Wolves at Malahide.
42 years young ⚡️
Faf du Plessis finishes with the most runs in ETPL (449 at 56.12), winning the Player of the Tournament award.#ETPL pic.twitter.com/OKbZagHN26
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) September 20, 2026
The South African-born USA wicketkeeper struck eight fours and four sixes in his 61-ball innings as Edinburgh chased down 151 with eight deliveries remaining. He finished the match with a six and a four off Glenn Maxwell, taking Edinburgh to 151-3.
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Gous ended the competition with 301 runs, while former Proteas all-rounder JJ Smuts contributed 206 for the champions. Smuts made 15 in the final and dismissed Devon Conway to finish with 1-19 from two overs.
Smuts’ standout innings came against Belfast earlier in the tournament, when he struck 98 from 60 balls in a 59-run victory. His knock included 11 fours and three sixes.
For Du Plessis, the individual honours offered some consolation after Rotterdam narrowly missed the playoffs. His 449 runs came at an average of 56.12 and a strike rate of 139.44, putting him clear of second-placed James Vince’s 370.
Rotterdam finished fourth on net run rate despite sharing 13 points with Edinburgh, Amsterdam Flames and Belfast. Their campaign ended with a five-wicket defeat to Dublin Guardians, whose successful chase was built around Vince’s unbeaten 106.
Heinrich Klaasen did everything he could to keep Rotterdam in contention, making an unbeaten 85 in their 188-5 against Dublin. He finished the tournament with 284 runs at an average of 56.80 and a strike rate of 167.06.
Anrich Nortje was equally influential with the ball, taking 19 wickets to share the tournament lead with Amsterdam’s Michael Bracewell. His best return was 5-11 against Belfast, although rain prevented Rotterdam from completing that match.
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Former Proteas and Namibia all-rounder David Wiese provided further support with 18 wickets, giving Rotterdam two of the competition’s three leading wicket-takers.
David Miller contributed useful innings during Belfast’s run, including an unbeaten 42 in their five-wicket win over Amsterdam and 38 against Edinburgh in their final league fixture. He did not feature in Sunday’s final.
Lungi Ngidi’s highlight for Glasgow Cosmic was a return of 4-21 in their 33-run victory over Dublin. Glasgow nevertheless finished bottom of the six-team table with four points.
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