Paarl - A rare individual century in domestic 20-over cricket was not enough as the Impi slumped to a third successive loss in the T20 Challenge on Wednesday, losing by 40 runs against the Cobras at Boland Park in Paarl.
Khayelihle Zondo was the outstanding individual, fighting a lone battle for his side by carrying his bat to end unbeaten on 100 off 63 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
The Impi ended on 171 for six with Dane Piedt (2-26) and Johann Louw (2-22) the pick of the bowlers.
Half centuries earlier from Stiaan van Zyl (55 off 31 balls) and Dane Vilas (57 off 30) helped the home side amass a hefty 211 for four, with Proteas fast bowler Vernon Philander also shining with the bat as he smashed 45 off 18 balls.
Batting first after losing the toss, the Cobras made a blistering start to their innings with Andrew Puttick and Van Zyl putting on 35 for the first wicket in just 23 balls, before the captain smashed Craig Alexander straight to Siya Simetu for 21.
Vilas and Van Zyl took their side past 50 in the sixth over and then really stretched the game for their opponents.
They reached their 50 partnership in 29 deliveries with opener Van Zyl reaching his second career T20 half century in 28 balls.
Vilas reached his half-ton slightly quicker, from 26 deliveries, with the pair putting on 67 together before Van Zyl was caught by Alexander off Simetu (2/39).
Owais Shah was out for six with the total on 136 and Vilas followed 12 runs later, before Philander and Mark Boucher (23 off 17) plundered 63 from the last five overs, soaring past 200 in the final over, to propel the Cobras to 211 for four.
The Impi were always going to need something special at the start to chase down such an imposing total and it never arrived as they lost wickets regularly throughout the chase.
England all-rounder Luke Wright was first to fall when he was caught and bowled by Louw for 15 in the fifth over.
They were only on 76 after almost 11 overs had passed when Ryan McLaren became the second wicket to fall, caught by Philander in the deep off Piedt.
Foreign imports Ryan ten Doeschate (one) and Paul Collingwood (one) failed to impress with the Impis limping past 100 in the 14th over.
Zondo, who reached 50 in 39 balls, exploded thereafter with his remaining 50 coming from 24 balls, including a six from the final delivery as he ended with a flourish.
The Impi, though, remain bottom of the standings alongside another winless side, the Warriors, while the Cobras move to the top with two wins and a tie. - Sapa