Chasing 140, MI Cape Town reached 140 for seven with four balls remaining in their final home match of the season. It was only their third win in nine matches, and just their second at Newlands, but it ensured their campaign did not end on Friday.
Their qualification hopes now depend on Durban's Super Giants and Joburg Super Kings failing to win their remaining fixtures.
Three of the four play-off places have already been confirmed, with Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Paarl Royals and Pretoria Capitals safely through. The final spot remains up for grabs between MI Cape Town, Joburg Super Kings and Durban's Super Giants.
Earlier, MI Cape Town's bowlers delivered one of their most disciplined performances of the tournament. Boult led the attack with three for 28, finding movement up front and at the death. Bosch backed him up superbly, removing key batters on his way to four for 34 as Sunrisers were restricted to 139 for nine.
Sunrisers' innings never fully settled after they lost Quinton de Kock to the first ball. Regular wickets followed before Marco Jansen provided late impetus with a powerful 42 off 23 balls. James Coles added a steady 28, but the total always felt slightly below par.
In reply, MI Cape Town were kept in the contest by Hendricks, who anchored the chase with a calm 41 from 43 balls. George Linde added urgency with 31 off 18, but Sunrisers kept things tight through Marco Jansen and Senuran Muthusamy, who took two wickets apiece to deny MI Cape Town a bonus point.
The two sides meet again on Sunday in Gqeberha, where MI Cape Town must win and wait on other results to see if their season can yet be extended.
Ottneil Baartman produced one of the finest bowling displays in SA20 history as Paarl Royals crushed Pretoria Capitals by six wickets at Centurion, sealing victory with 29 balls to spare and moving to the top of the points table.
Sunrisers Eastern Cape have soared to the top of the SA20 points table after a commanding 61-run win over Joburg Super Kings at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Wednesday.
The Paarl Royals recorded the highest successful run-chase at Boland Park, knocking down a target of 187 to beat Durban's Super Giants by six wickets in their SA20 clash on Tuesday.
Donovan Ferreira has been named as captain of Joburg Kings for the remainder of the SA20, replacing Faf du Du Plessis who has been ruled out after sustaining a right thumb ligament tear.
