Namibia stun South Africa to win T20I tri-series opener

Namibia pulled off a 18-run victory over South Africa in the opening match of the T20I tri-series, extending their unbeaten record against their neighbours to two matches.

The result follows Namibia’s success in the first meeting between the sides last year, although the Proteas had batted first in that game. On this occasion, South Africa stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin won the toss and sent Namibia in, but the hosts made an impressive start.

Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp shared 84 for the opening wicket, helping Namibia reach 57-0 by the end of the powerplay. Fortuin finally ended the partnership in the 10th over when he bowled Steenkamp for 41 from 29 balls.

Frylinck continued to attack and moved to 60 from 38 deliveries. His innings ended when he attempted a third consecutive six against part-time spinner Dewald Brevis but was dismissed.

Namibia subsequently lost momentum, giving away nine wickets for 79 runs during the second half of their innings. Fortuin finished with 2-17, while Prenelan Subrayen took 3-23.

Duan Jansen, making his debut, claimed two wickets in two balls late in the 19th over as Namibia were restricted to 163-9. South Africa also faced an injury concern when Lutho Sipamla left the field midway through his second over with a problem to his left hamstring.

The Proteas’ reply quickly deteriorated. Jordan Hermann, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Tony de Zorzi all departed cheaply, leaving the T20 World Cup semi-finalists on 39-3 inside seven overs.

Rubin Hermann was then bowled to make it 78-4, before Brevis mounted a determined counter-attack to revive South Africa’s hopes.

The 22-year-old scored 75 from 50 balls, recording his second T20I half-century. However, Namibia removed him with two overs remaining when he was caught at short third man off the bowling of Ruben Trumpelmann.

Brevis had been given little support by the batters around him, and his dismissal effectively ended South Africa’s hopes of completing the chase. The Proteas finished on 145-9.

Trumpelmann was the leading bowler in Namibia’s successful defence, taking 3-24. Jansen, the brother of Marco Jansen, provided one of the few positives for South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 25 on debut.

Namibia’s victory gives them a strong start to the tri-series and maintains their perfect record against the Proteas across their two meetings.

South Africa will have the chance to respond when they play Zimbabwe in Windhoek on Saturday.

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