Pretorius and Esterhuizen power Proteas to 228 before Namibia’s spirited chase falls 11 runs short
South Africa survived a late charge from Namibia to win by 11 runs in a high-scoring T20 international on Friday, securing their place in the final of the T20I Tri-Series in Windhoek.
The win also helped Proteas to set date with Zimbabwe in the final to be conducted on Sunday.
South Africa posted 228 for four after being sent in, powered by a century from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and an explosive 88 from Connor Esterhuizen. Namibia replied with 217 for three but fell short despite a blistering 72 from Jan Frylinck and an unbeaten 30 from captain Gerhard Erasmus.
The victory was South Africa’s first against Namibia in T20 internationals.
Pretorius set the tone with a superb 101 from 53 balls, striking five fours and eight sixes. He shared a destructive opening partnership with Esterhuizen, who smashed 88 from just 40 balls with six fours and eight sixes.
The pair took South Africa to 156 before Esterhuizen was dismissed in the 12th over, but Pretorius continued the assault and brought up his century from 52 balls.
Namibia’s chase began positively. Frylinck raced to a 28-ball fifty and eventually made 72 from 36 balls, while Louren Steenkamp contributed 61 from 44 before retiring hurt with Namibia on 167 for one after 15.6 overs.
With 62 needed from the final four overs, Namibia remained within reach of the target. JJ Smit struck nine from four balls before falling to Nqobani Mokoena, while Ruben Trumpelmann smashed 21 from 10 to keep the hosts’ hopes alive.
But Mokoena held his nerve at the death, dismissing Trumpelmann with the final ball of the innings as Namibia finished on 217 for three.
The result leaves South Africa through to the final against Zimbabwe on Sunday, while Namibia’s spirited chase ended their campaign without a victory over their neighbours.
