Australian bowler Dirk Nannes has made an impressive debut in the South African Twenty20 Challenge.

Nannes took 3-12 in 3.1 overs to help Highveld Lions defeat Northern Titans by seven wickets at SuperSport Park in Centurion and replace inactive Central Knights as table toppers through a superior net run rate.

Chris Morris also captured three wickets as Titans collapsed to 121 all out and Quinton de Kock (72) averaged two runs per ball as the Lions reached 3-124 with 45 balls remaining in the Gauteng derby.

Pre-tournanment favourites Western Cape Cobras rose to third place with a 35-run win at bottom team The New Age Impi at Willowmoore Park in eastern Johannesburg suburb Benoni.

Owais Shah struck an unbeaten 60 as Cobras made 5-165 while fellow Englishman Luke Wright and Australian Ben Edmondson took two wickets each for the Impi, who reached 7-130 in reply with Khaya Zondo (35) top scoring.