Brevis 75* steers South Africa to seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Windhoek

Dewald Brevis struck an unbeaten 75 off 32 deliveries as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek in the tri-series on 2026-08-29, completing the chase in 13.4 overs. Zimbabwe had been limited to 144 runs.

After suffering a loss to Namibia in their previous match, South Africa responded with a stronger overall display in the tri-series. Their bowlers first arrested a promising Zimbabwe start, then the batting lineup capitalised to finish the game quickly. The victory restored South Africa to winning ways in the competition.

Brevis set the tone immediately, sending his first ball for six and finishing with seven fours and six sixes. He reached his half-century in only 23 balls and remained unbeaten on 75, ending the contest with a boundary. Leg-spinner Graeme Cremer conceded 32 runs in two overs, with four of Brevis’ sixes coming off him.

The chase had begun briskly through openers Jordan Hermann and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who put on 32 inside the first four overs. Hermann made 20 from 13 balls before his dismissal, while Pretorius scored 22 off 13 deliveries. South Africa moved to 61 by the end of the Powerplay and were 103 for 2 after 10 overs, leaving little to defend for Zimbabwe.

Tony de Zorzi added 15 before being removed by Blessing Muzarabani, and Rubin Hermann closed the innings unbeaten on 11 from seven balls. Rubin and Brevis shared an unbroken 39-run partnership that wrapped up the chase with time to spare. The successful run chase required only 13.4 overs in total.

Zimbabwe had threatened early, reaching 68 for 1 after eight overs, with Ben Curran contributing a quick 24 from 12 balls before Duan Jansen dismissed him. Brian Bennett finished as Zimbabwe’s top-scorer with 34 off 35 deliveries, but the team struggled to accelerate once the fielding restrictions ended.

Prenelan Subrayen and Bjorn Fortuin slowed the scoring in the middle overs, combining for three wickets while conceding 52 runs across eight overs. Tadiwanashe Marumani produced a late flurry of 30 off 13 balls, including three sixes and a four, but his exit in the 19th over stalled Zimbabwe’s momentum; the side managed only 14 runs and lost three wickets in the final two overs.

Duan Jansen finished as South Africa’s leading bowler with three wickets for 45 in his four overs. Debutant Eathan Bosch impressed with figures of 1 for 20, and Kwena Maphaka also took a wicket while conceding 24 runs. The combined bowling effort had restricted Zimbabwe to 144, setting up Brevis’ match-winning assault.

The win returned South Africa to winning ways in the tri-series following their earlier defeat to Namibia in the previous match, consolidating their position in the competition.