Pretorius stars as Proteas see off Zimbabwe in Namibia Tri-Series

A brilliant half-century from Lhuan-dre Pretorius, backed by superb bowling spells from Bjorn Fortuin and Duan Jansen, guided South Africa to a 43-run win over Zimbabwe in their Namibia T20I Tri-Series fixture at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Fortuin, South Africa's captain, won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely as Pretorius took control of the innings to steer his side to 185-7 in their 20 overs, CS Chiwanza reports for Super Sport.

South Africa's bowling attack then dominated Zimbabwe, dismissing the hosts for 142 in 17.4 overs.

Pretorius showcased the full breadth of his talent in an outstanding innings of 91 off 51 balls, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. It was his highest T20I score and only his second half-century in the format, off just 27 balls. The left-hander worked the ball into gaps with soft hands and turned to power when the situation called for it.

He anchored two significant partnerships: an opening stand of 68 with Jordan Hermann (28), followed by a second-wicket alliance of 86 with Dewald Brevis (41). The first ensured South Africa avoided an early collapse, while the second put the match beyond Zimbabwe's reach, with both Hermann and Brevis content to play supporting roles while Pretorius flourished.

Zimbabwe staged a late rally, claiming six wickets in the final 4.5 overs, but it proved too little to peg South Africa back to a chaseable total.

Fortuin's four-wicket haul seals the win

South Africa's bowlers then took over, with Fortuin the standout performer, returning figures of four for 24 from 3.4 overs. Jansen offered strong support, finishing with three for 21 from his four overs.

Fortuin, who has built a reputation as one of domestic cricket's sharpest powerplay spinners, justified that billing with a double-wicket maiden in the fourth over, removing Brian Bennett and Wessly Madhevere in the space of three deliveries – strikes that halted any early momentum Zimbabwe had built. His four wickets were interspersed with dismissals from Prenelan Subrayen and Jansen in the second and sixth overs respectively, leaving the innings on the back foot.

Jansen then struck twice in the eighth over, removing Ryan Burl and Tadiwanashe Marumani off successive balls to reduce Zimbabwe to 51-6.

Sikandar Raza fought hard to keep Zimbabwe's hopes alive with a defiant 45 off 33 balls, but wickets continued to fall around him. His side's best stand of the innings came via a 39-run eighth-wicket partnership with Newman Nyamhuri (27), whose late hitting gave the travelling Zimbabwean supporters something to cheer.

The result leaves South Africa as the only unbeaten side after two rounds of the tri-series, all but confirming their place in Sunday's final with one round of matches still to be played.