Namibia stun South Africa again in T20I thriller

Namibia produced another stunning upset against South Africa, securing an 18-run victory in the Tri-Nation T20I Series in Windhoek on Saturday (August 29).

Batting first after losing the toss, Namibia posted 163-9 before restricting South Africa to 145-9 in 19.5 overs, with a disciplined bowling effort sealing their second memorable win over the Proteas in 10 months.

South Africa’s chase never gathered momentum as they slipped to 34-2 by the end of the powerplay and lost Tony de Zorzi in the seventh over.

Dewald Brevis kept the visitors in the contest with a brilliant 75 off 50 balls, including four sixes and five fours, and reached his second T20I half-century. But his dismissal in the 18th over proved decisive.

South Africa needed 31 runs from the final two overs with three wickets in hand, but Namibia’s bowlers held their nerve, conceding only 12 runs as the Proteas finished on 145-9.

Earlier, Namibia made a flying start through openers Louren Sten-kemp and Jan Frylinck, who put together an 84-run opening stand from 58 balls. Sten-kemp made 41 off 29 balls, while Frylinck continued with Gerhard Erasmus to add another 32 runs.

Namibia then collapsed from 116-1 in 13.5 overs to 133-6, losing five wickets for just 17 runs. However, a late push took them to 163-9, a total that ultimately proved enough.

The result marks another significant victory for Namibia over their higher-ranked neighbours and underlines their growing confidence in T20 cricket.

South Africa will face Zimbabwe at the same venue on Sunday in the next match of the tri-series.