Windhoek — Dewald Brevis produced a masterclass in power-hitting to propel South Africa to a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe on Saturday, getting the Proteas’ Namibia T20I Tri-Series campaign firmly on track.
Chasing 145 at the Namibia Cricket Ground, South Africa overhauled the target in just 13.4 overs, finishing on 146/3 with 38 balls to spare. The emphatic response followed a disappointing opening-round loss to hosts Namibia, moving South Africa level on two points at the top of the table.
Brevis Ignites the Chase
Brevis, named Player of the Match, delivered his second consecutive half-century of the tour in devastating fashion. Arriving at the crease in the fourth over following Jordan Hermann’s brisk 20 off 13 balls, the 23-year-old struck his very first delivery from Newman Nyamhuri over mid-off for six.
He reached his half-century in just 24 deliveries before finishing unbeaten on 75 off 32 balls—a knock featuring seven boundaries and six towering sixes. Contributions from opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius (22), Tony de Zorzi (15), and Rubin Hermann provided steady support, but Brevis dominated the contest to ensure South Africa never lost momentum.
South Africa Batting Highlights | Runs (Balls) | Boundaries |
Dewald Brevis | 75* (32) | 7 x 4s, 6 x 6s |
Lhuan-dre Pretorius | 22 (17) | 3 x 4s |
Jordan Hermann | 20 (13) | 3 x 4s |
Spinners Strangle Zimbabwe’s Bright Start
Earlier in the afternoon, Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bat. Openers Brian Bennett (34 off 35) and Ben Curran (24 off 11) gave Zimbabwe an aggressive platform, lifting their side to 76/1 at the halfway mark.
South Africa’s bowling attack responded decisively through the middle overs:
- Spin Control: Captain Bjorn Fortuin (1/25) and off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen (2/27) dried up the scoring, triggering a collapse where Zimbabwe added just 20 runs across a six-over period.
- Pace & Discipline: Debutant seamer Eathan Bosch struck to dismiss Raza, while Kwena Maphaka varied pace intelligently in the death overs.
- Wickets at the Death: Left-arm seamer Duan Jansen finished as the leading wicket-taker with 3/45, curbing a late flurry from Tadiwanashe Marumani (30 off 13) to restrict Zimbabwe to 144/8.
Match Summary
- Zimbabwe: 144/8 in 20 overs (Bennett 34, Marumani 30; Jansen 3/45, Subrayen 2/27, Fortuin 1/25)
- South Africa: 146/3 in 13.4 overs (Brevis 75*, Pretorius 22; Evans 1/19, Muzarabani 1/26)
- Result: South Africa won by 7 wickets.
South Africa head into Sunday’s rest day with momentum restored before the tournament resumes on Monday when Namibia face Zimbabwe.
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