Pretorius' Maiden Century Sends South Africa Into Tri-Series Final After Namibia Thriller

South Africa survived a stern chase from Namibia to win by 11 runs in a 445-run thriller at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek, sealing their place in Sunday's final against Zimbabwe in the T20I tri-series.

Put in to bat, South Africa exploded through a 156-run opening stand between Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen. Esterhuizen blazed 88 off just 40 balls, striking six fours and eight sixes, while Pretorius made amends for missing out on a century three days earlier against Zimbabwe (he was dismissed for 94), reaching his maiden T20I hundred with a six in the final over before falling for 101 off 53 balls. South Africa finished on 228 for 4, their fifth-highest T20I total.

Namibia refused to fold under the daunting target, with Jan Frylinck (72 off 36) and Louren Steenkamp (61 off 44) putting on 119 for the first wicket to keep the hosts in touch deep into the chase. But South Africa's bowlers held their nerve at the death, with Nqobani Mokoena finishing with 2 for 43 including the crucial last wicket, as Namibia fell agonisingly short on 217 for 3.

The result ends an impressive home campaign for Namibia, who had already beaten South Africa earlier in the series and pushed Zimbabwe to a last-ball finish, but it is South Africa who advance to face Zimbabwe in Sunday's decider.