South Africa secured the first trophy of their season with a comprehensive 48-run victory over Zimbabwe in the final of the Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026. After posting 205/5, the Proteas produced another strong bowling performance to dismiss Zimbabwe for 157 and complete their third win over their opponents in eight days.

The victory capped a dominant campaign for South Africa, who managed another total above 200 despite leading run-scorer Lhuan-dre Pretorius missing the final with a groin injury. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, struggled against South Africa’s pace and spin throughout the chase and ultimately fell well short of the target.

Jordan Hermann leads South Africa to another 200-plus total

With Pretorius unavailable, Jordan Hermann was given another opportunity to open the innings and made the most of it. He put on 84 runs with Connor Esterhuizen, reaching his fifty from just 24 balls before Brad Evans dismissed him for 53.

Hermann attacked strongly on the leg side but also found boundaries through the off side, giving South Africa the platform for another big total. Dewald Brevis then added 32 from 22 balls, while the middle order helped South Africa finish on 205/5. Evans and Newman Nyamhuri picked up two wickets each for Zimbabwe.

Also READ: Wasim Jaffer explains why Sanju Samson may not be India’s backup opener for ODI World Cup 2027

South Africa’s bowlers leave Zimbabwe with no way back

Zimbabwe’s chase quickly fell apart as Eathan Bosch and Duan Jansen struck early to reduce them to 25/4 in the fourth over. They slipped further to 57/6 by the ninth over, leaving Evans with too much work to do despite another impressive contribution. Evans produced a career-best 56 not out and shared a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership with Kundai Matigimu, but the damage had already been done.

Bjorn Fortuin, Jansen and Bosch continued to take wickets, with Fortuin finishing with 3/24 and Jansen claiming 3/38. Jansen ended the series as the leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets, while Evans finished with 10 wickets and also topped up his campaign with his highest T20 score. Zimbabwe were eventually bowled out for 157, handing South Africa a 48-run victory and the tri-series trophy.

Also READ: Suresh Raina picks his current favourite Indian player in Test format