Neil McKenzie and Quinton de Kock put on an unbeaten 121-run partnership to ease the Highveld Lions past the Mumbai Indians by eight wickets.
In a bad day for IPL teams, after Chennai Super Kings also lost out, Indians were put on the mat by some excellent batting by the duo.
Needing 158 runs to win, the Lions went about their chase in an extremely intelligent and composed manner, after the initial start suggested the home team might struggle against their more higher-profile opponents.
McKenzie, who made an unbeaten 68 from 41 balls, partnered-up with teenager De Kock (51 in 33) to put on an unbeaten match-winning partnership for the third wicket.
Earlier, Mumbai Indians looked like they might get a big score, but eventually failed to kick on to better things, which in hindsight cost them the match.
Left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso was extremely impressive, troubling Sachin Tendulkar at will, eventually getting the Little Master's wicket.
Phangiso finished with frugal figures of one for 17 from his four overs, while Dirk Nannes was even more stingy, giving away a mere 15 runs from his 24 balls.
"I enjoyed that wicket especially being one the greatest batsman in the world, Sachin Tendulkar; I enjoyed that a lot," Phangiso said.
"I don't know what to say, but I hope that the hearts are still up, because he is a great player. He is always going to bounce back and get a lot of runs.
"Celebration is definitely going to continue for me. We are going to celebrate. It is a big game for us, and a big win."
Phangiso, 28, said he felt prepared for such a moment - bowling to some of the best batsmen in the world. "It is one of those moments, for which you have been preparing, knowing that we are playing against the Mumbai Indians," he said. "I was prepared and I just tried to do what I do best and then hoped to do well.
"I have just been doing the normal stuff. Bowling in the nets and bowling to our players that's all that I have been doing. I have just been working on my line and length that's what I have been working on.
"But, I am not going to sleep. I am just going to enjoy this moment.
"It is always great when you are playing in front of your home crowd. Obviously, you've got to try and please the fans and make them happy and come back the next time. Winning the first game is always good. Every team dreams of that."
