Johannesburg - Richard Levi notched-up the second highest score in domestic T20 cricket to help the Cape Cobras to a bonus-point win over the Knights in Bloemfontein on Friday.
Levi slammed 113 from just 61 balls on his return to the Cobras side as they posted 208 for three - their highest tally against the Knights in this format.
Sunil Narine then made a clinical start to his Cobras career by registering figures of 2 for 18, as the Knights mustered just 128
for eight in reply to slide to an 80-run defeat.
Only Quinton de Kock has a higher score than Levi's in domestic T20, with the left-hander having hit 126 not out against the Cobras at Senwes Park, in Potchefstroom, last season.
With Graeme Smith enjoying a week's break, Levi had another opportunity to shine and he did not disappoint, hammering eight sixes and nine fours in a devastating innings.
While Levi unleashed at one end, Hashim Amla (65 off 42 balls) cruised at the other as the pair put on 171 in 15 overs for the first wicket.
Although the dismissal of Levi pegged the Cobras back as the Knights restricted them to 37 in the last five overs, the visitors nevertheless finished with the sixth highest total in the tournament's history.
The Knights were never likely to threaten it, and although they made a brisk start they lost wickets at regular intervals as Robin Peterson, Beuran Hendricks, Narine and JP Duminy picked up two apiece.
While the chase always appeared futile, Reeza Hendricks at least kept himself in top form - and top of the run-scoring charts - as he batted through the innings to score an unbeaten 64.
The Cobras remain top of the table on 17 points - five ahead of their nearest rivals, the Titans. - Sapa