South Africa outclassed Zimbabwe by 43 runs in the fourth match of the T20I tri-series in Windhoek. After being asked to bat first, South Africa posted 185/7 in 20 overs. Lhuan-dre Pretorius gave South Africa a flying start alongside Jordan Hermann. They added 68 runs for the first wicket in 7.4 overs. Pretorius then added another quick-fire 86 runs for the second wicket with Dewald Brevis.

When Pretorius was dismissed in the 19th over, South Africa had reached 180/6. He scored 94 runs off 51 balls. Wessly Madhevere (3/20 in 3 overs) was Zimbabwe's best bowler, while Brad Evans also took two wickets.

While chasing, Bjorn Fortuin (4/24 in 3.4 overs) and Duan Jansen (3/21 in 4 overs) destroyed Zimbabwe's top and middle order. As a result, Zimbabwe were struggling at 66/8 after 9.4 overs.

Newman Nyamhuri and Kundai Matigimu added 36 runs for the ninth wicket. Their partnership helped Zimbabwe reach a respectable total. Sikandar Raza was the top scorer for Zimbabwe.

With this win, South Africa moved closer to securing a place in the final. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, now need to work hard and depend on other results to remain in contention.

Zimbabwe struggle after early wickets

Zimbabwe again depended heavily on their opening pair to provide a strong start. Ben Curran and Brian Bennett failed to deliver this time. Both batters fell early and put Zimbabwe under pressure. The middle order could not repair the damage. Zimbabwe lost eight wickets for just 66 runs.

Sikandar Raza offered some resistance with a 45-run knock. His innings helped Zimbabwe cross the 100-run mark, but the target remained well beyond their reach. South Africa's spinners played a key role in the victory. They kept taking wickets and prevented Zimbabwe from building partnerships.

Stand-in captain Bjorn Fortuin produced the best bowling figures of his career. He finished with 4 wickets for 24 runs. Prenelan Subrayen and Nqaba Peter also claimed a wicket each. Zimbabwe eventually finished well short of the target.

Zimbabwe's final hopes take a blow

The 43-run defeat has pushed Zimbabwe's net run rate down to -1.691. That could prove important in the race for a place in the final. Zimbabwe have only one match remaining in the group stage. They will face Namibia on Thursday.

South Africa have moved ahead of the other two teams on the points table after another victory. Namibia still have both of their remaining matches to play before the group stage ends.

Pretorius and Hermann give South Africa a strong start

Pretorius and Jordan Hermann gave South Africa a solid platform with their 68-run opening partnership. Although both batters are left-handed, they scored their runs in very different areas. Hermann preferred playing shots behind square. Pretorius was particularly strong on the leg side between square leg and long-on.

Hermann scored 23 of his 28 runs behind square. He hit both of his sixes in that region. His first six came when he pulled Wessly Madhevere over deep square leg. He hit his second six off Brad Evans by lofting a full delivery over deep point.

Pretorius, meanwhile, dominated the on side. He used a wide stance and strong bottom-hand control. This allowed him to play the pull and slog sweep with confidence. Pretorius scored 49 of his 94 runs between square leg and long-on. His innings included seven fours and a six.

South Africa lose momentum at the end

South Africa appeared set for a total above 200 midway through their innings. They were 88 for 1 after 10 overs. They reached 161 for 2 by the end of the 16th over. However, Zimbabwe's bowlers fought back during the final overs.

Dewald Brevis fell in the 16th over after he tried to clear long-off. Sikandar Raza took the catch. Connor Esterhuizen, who moved up to No. 4 in the absence of Tony de Zorzi, also failed to convert his start. Newman Nyamhuri dismissed him at deep square leg, where Ben Curran took the catch.

Rubin Hermann then picked out long-off. Eathan Bosch also fell at long-on as South Africa struggled to produce the big finish. Pretorius began the 17th over on 82. He reached 94 by the end of the 19th.

He then shuffled across his stumps and missed a full slower delivery from Evans. The ball hit the stumps and ended his innings six runs short of a century. South Africa also lost Fortuin to a run-out from the final delivery. They lost six wickets for only 31 runs in 29 balls.

Pretorius makes up for missed century with brilliant catches

Pretorius was clearly disappointed after missing his century. However, he quickly shifted his focus to his fielding duties. He produced an important catch early in Zimbabwe's chase. Curran had already scored 10 runs from the first three balls of the second over. He tried to attack again with a flick over short fine leg.

Pretorius was positioned there and took a straightforward catch. Two overs later, he produced a much more difficult effort. Bennett top-edged a delivery from Fortuin while Pretorius was standing at short third. The ball went over his head, but Pretorius quickly turned and followed its flight.

He stretched out his right hand and held on to a stunning catch. Pretorius appeared surprised by the quality of the catch as he celebrated with his hands on his hips. Fortuin completed a double-wicket maiden in the same over.

Duan Jansen continues to dominate

Duan Jansen also produced a brilliant performance with the ball. His dismissal of Ryan Burl took him to the top of the wicket charts in the tri-series. Earlier, Jansen had bowled Innocent Kaia with an accurate yorker.

He then removed Burl with a spectacular one-handed catch in his follow-through. The wicket left Zimbabwe struggling at 51 for 5 in the eighth over. Jansen struck again with the next ball. He had Tadiwanashe Marumani given out lbw.

The decision appeared close. Marumani was standing deep in his crease and attempted to flick the ball. At first glance, the delivery looked as if it could have gone down the leg side. However, there was no review system available, so the umpire's decision remained.

Jansen therefore completed his third wicket and moved onto a hat-trick opportunity. He bowled a full delivery but Brad Evans managed to work it towards square leg and scored a run. Jansen finished with 3 for 21 from his four overs. He now has eight wickets in the tri-series and currently leads the tournament's bowling charts.

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