Sports Correspondent
South Africa secured their place in the T20I tri-series final against Zimbabwe after edging Namibia by 11 runs in a high-scoring encounter that saw Lhuan-dre Pretorius register his maiden international century.
The Proteas finished the league stage with three wins from four matches to top the standings and will now face Zimbabwe in the final, with the Chevrons seeking to upset their neighbours after suffering back-to-back defeats against South Africa.
South Africa had already beaten Zimbabwe twice in the tournament, but the Chevrons will draw confidence from their impressive five-wicket victory over Namibia in their previous outing, when they successfully chased down a challenging target.
Against Namibia, South Africa posted an imposing 228 for four after a superb batting display led by Pretorius and wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen.
The pair launched the Proteas’ innings with an explosive 156-run opening partnership, putting South Africa firmly in control from the outset.
Esterhuizen was particularly aggressive, smashing 88 from just 40 deliveries, including eight sixes, before Namibia paceman John Balt ended his entertaining innings.
Balt struck again soon afterwards, combining with captain Gerhard Erasmus to dismiss Dewald Brevis for three, but Pretorius continued to punish the Namibian attack.
The youngster completed his maiden T20I century, scoring 101 from 53 balls. His innings featured five fours and eight sixes as South Africa powered their way to 228 for four.
Namibia responded strongly and gave themselves a realistic chance of pulling off another upset after openers Louren Steenkamp and Jan Frylinck produced a 119-run stand.
Frylinck led the charge with a blistering 72 from 36 balls at a strike rate of 200, but his innings was eventually ended by a spectacular catch from Tony de Zorzi.
Steenkamp continued to anchor the chase before retiring hurt after scoring 61 from 44 deliveries, while Erasmus attempted to maintain Namibia’s momentum.
However, South Africa’s bowlers gradually regained control of the contest.
Wickets from Nqobani Mokoena and Andil Simelane helped slow Namibia’s scoring rate as the hosts eventually finished on 217, falling 11 runs short of the target.
The result confirmed South Africa’s position at the top of the table and set up a final against Zimbabwe.
For the Chevrons, the final presents an opportunity to respond after two disappointing defeats against the Proteas earlier in the tournament.
Zimbabwe will also enter the title decider with renewed confidence after their five-wicket win over Namibia, a result that demonstrated their ability to chase substantial totals under pressure.
South Africa, meanwhile, will be hoping their dominant batting performance against Namibia is a sign of things to come as they target another victory over Zimbabwe and the tri-series trophy.
