Namibia delivered a stunning upset, clinching a dramatic four-wicket triumph over South Africa in a thrilling one-off T20 International played in Windhoek on Saturday. The match went down to the wire, with Namibia sealing the victory off the final delivery, a feat that marks a significant milestone for the Associate nation. This defeat adds to South Africa’s T20I history, with another loss to an Associate team following their encounter with the Netherlands.
Chasing a modest total of 135, Namibia’s success was driven by the composed unbeaten 30 from Zane Green, who faced 23 balls, and the exceptional all-round efforts of Ruben Trumpelmann. Trumpelmann showcased his prowess with figures of 3-28 in his spell and an unbeaten 11 from just 8 deliveries. The final over was a spectacle of nerves and skill, as Namibia required 11 runs. Green set the tone with a powerful six on the first ball, and after a period of tight bowling, he clinched the memorable win with a shot off the last ball.
Opting to bat first, South Africa faltered early with the dismissals of Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks. The challenging pitch made stroke-play difficult, and despite a 30-run partnership between Lhua-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann, Trumpelmann’s bowling continued to trouble the South African lineup. Wickets fell at regular intervals, leaving South Africa reeling at 68 for 5 in the 11th over. Late contributions from Jason Smith, Bjorn Fortuin, and Gerald Coetzee managed to push the score to 134 for 8.
Namibia’s chase started with intent, but early wickets threatened their progress. South African pacers struggled to find their footing. By the seventh over, Namibia had posted 51 runs despite losing three wickets. The middle order, led by Captain Gerhard Erasmus, JJ Smit, and Jason Kruger, provided the necessary stability. In the final stages, with 28 runs needed from three overs, Green and Trumpelmann held their nerve, finding the boundary at crucial junctures to guide Namibia to an unforgettable victory on the last ball.