South Africa vs Zimbabwe, Final, Sep 6, 2026: commentary
| South Africa | 205/5 | 20.0 ov |
|---|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 157 | 18.0 ov |
South Africa win by 48 runs
Result
South Africa win by 48 runs
What the reporting says
Sinalo Jafta misses the Zimbabwe tour with a hamstring injury, with Jae-Leigh Filander called up late as wicketkeeper-batter cover.
Only Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke from South Africa's T20 World Cup side are in the squad.
Facts taken from the stories linked beside them, each from a sentence in the original.
ZIM 1ST
- 18.0
Over 18. 23 runs. Bowler: Duan Jansen. Zimbabwe: 157/10(rr 8.72)
- 17.6
OUT! Caught. Duan Jansen to Blessing Muzarabani. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to extra cover, caught by Fortuin. South Africa wrap up a convincing 48-run victory over Zimbabwe to lift the Tri-Series trophy! Zimbabwe were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs despite a valiant unbeaten 56 from Brad Evans, who kept their hopes alive with a superb counter-attacking knock. The top-order collapsed in chasing a sizeable target, losing four wickets in the powerplay and falling to 57-6, from which the game was up. Evans hit some late blows but it was in vain. Eathan Bosch and Duan Jansen struck with key early wickets for South Africa and their bowlers maintained their composure to close out the victory, captain. Bjorn Fortuin claiming three wickets in the middle overs. Jordan Hermann is the Player of the Match. Dewald Brevis is the Player of the Tournament.
- 17.5
Duan Jansen to Brad Evans. Length ball, wide outside off stump moves in front Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Brevis.
- 17.4
FOUR! Duan Jansen to Brad Evans. Half volley, wide outside off stump deep in crease driving, well timed past deep extra cover for 4 runs.
- 17.3
SIX! Duan Jansen to Brad Evans. Off cutter length ball, middle stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.
- 17.3
Wide Duan Jansen to Brad Evans. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot Leave, left to third man for 5 runs, mis-fielded by Esterhuizen.
- 17.2
Duan Jansen to Blessing Muzarabani. Half volley, outside off stump deep in crease Slog, inside edge to gully for 1 run, shy attempt by Brevis.
- 17.1
SIX! Duan Jansen to Blessing Muzarabani. Full toss, outside off stump deep in crease driving, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs.
- 17.0
Over 17. 1 run. Bowler: Kwena Maphaka. Zimbabwe: 134/9(rr 7.88)
- 16.6
Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans. Full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed back to bowler for no runs.
- 16.5
Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans. Yorker, down leg side on the front foot flick, hit pad for no runs, fielded by Esterhuizen.
- 16.4
Kwena Maphaka to Brad Evans. Short, outside off stump on the back foot pulling, Missed (Leg Side) for no runs, fielded by Esterhuizen.
- 16.3
Kwena Maphaka to Blessing Muzarabani. Off cutter length ball, outside off stump on the back foot dropped, Played to silly point for 1 run, fielded by Hermann.
- 16.2
Kwena Maphaka to Blessing Muzarabani. Yorker, to leg on the back foot working, mis-timed to silly point for no runs.
- 16.1
OUT! Caught. Kwena Maphaka to Kundai Matigimu. Back of a length, outside off stump backing away Slog, top edge in the air uncontrolled to short fine leg, caught by Esterhuizen.
- 16.0
Over 16. 18 runs. Bowler: Prenelan Subrayen. Zimbabwe: 133/8(rr 8.31)
- 15.6
FOUR! Prenelan Subrayen to Brad Evans. Off break full toss, outside off stump on the front foot sweeping, well timed in the air under control past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.
- 15.5
Prenelan Subrayen to Kundai Matigimu. Off break half volley, to leg on the front foot flick, Played to long on for 1 run, fielded by Bosch.
- 15.4
SIX! Prenelan Subrayen to Kundai Matigimu. Off break length ball, off stump on the front foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over long on for 6 runs. Matigimu having some fun out there.
- 15.3
SIX! Prenelan Subrayen to Kundai Matigimu. Off break length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, well timed in the air under control over deep mid wicket for 6 runs.
- 11.3
OUT! Caught. Bjorn Fortuin to Newman Nyamhuri. Stock length ball, to leg on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Bosch. Another one bites the dust.
- 9.3
OUT! Caught. Bjorn Fortuin to Sikandar Raza. Stock length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to cover, caught by Hermann. The last hope, Sikandar Raza departs!
- 8.3
OUT! Caught. Prenelan Subrayen to Tadiwanashe Marumani. Off break length ball, wide outside off stump backing away driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to extra cover. Another Zimbabwean batter has been dismissed due to a careless shot!
- 7.2
OUT! Bowled. Bjorn Fortuin to Ryan Burl. Stock length ball, middle stump on the front foot Slog, missed. Cleaned him up with a straighter one!
- 3.5
OUT! Caught. Duan Jansen to Wessley Madhevere. Back of a length, down leg side on the back foot pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep backward square leg, caught by Brevis. Takes on the short ball again and gifts his wicket away.
- 2.6
OUT! Caught. Eathan Bosch to Innocent Kaia. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, top edge in the air uncontrolled to mid off, caught by Fortuin. Three down for Zimbabwe!
- 1.6
OUT! Caught. Duan Jansen to Brian Bennett. Off cutter half volley, outside off stump moves in front Scoop, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to short third man, caught by Esterhuizen. Bennett is disappointed with his execution.
- 0.2
OUT! Caught. Eathan Bosch to Ben Curran. Seaming in length ball, off stump on the back foot cutting, top edge, caught by Esterhuizen. Golden duck for Ben Curran.
SAF 1ST
- 20.0
Over 20. 14 runs. Bowler: Brad Evans. South Africa: 205/5(rr 10.25)
- 19.6
Brad Evans to Duan Jansen. Slower length ball, wide outside off stump moves in front Slog, missed for 1 run, shy attempt by Marumani, overthrow by Evans. South Africa finish their innings strongly, posting a competitive total after a fluent batting display. Jordan Hermann led the charge with a brilliant 53, while Connor Esterhuizen, Dewald Brevis and Rubin Hermann made valuable contributions through the middle overs. Despite losing the set batters in the death overs, Eathan Bosch and Duan Jansen provided the late impetus, with Jansen striking four boundaries in his unbeaten 23.Zimbabwe's Newman Nyamhuri and Brad Evans picked up two wickets each, but South Africa's consistent scoring and strong finish have put them in a commanding position heading into the chase.
- 19.5
Brad Evans to Duan Jansen. Half volley, wide outside off stump moves in front Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off for 2 runs, fielded by Burl.
- 19.4
Brad Evans to Duan Jansen. Yorker, wide outside off stump moves in front Slog, mis-timed to mid wicket for 2 runs, shy attempt by Bennett.
- 19.3
FOUR! Brad Evans to Duan Jansen. Full toss, outside off stump moves in front flick, well timed in the air under control past deep backward square leg for 4 runs.
- 19.2
FOUR! Brad Evans to Duan Jansen. Full toss, outside off stump on the front foot flick, well timed in the air under control past deep square leg for 4 runs.
- 19.1
Brad Evans to Eathan Bosch. Yorker, outside off stump deep in crease working, Played to long on for 1 run, fielded by Butt.
- 19.0
Over 19. 5 runs. Bowler: Blessing Muzarabani. South Africa: 191/5(rr 10.05)
- 18.6
FOUR! Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past long off for 4 runs.
- 18.5
Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Yorker, wide outside off stump on the front foot Steer, missed for no runs, fielded by Marumani.
- 18.4
Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot cutting, bottom edge to leg slip for no runs, fielded by Marumani.
- 18.3
Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, Played in the air under control to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Butt.
- 18.2
Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Off cutter length ball, wide outside off stump moves in front cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Marumani.
- 18.1
Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, missed for no runs, fielded by Marumani.
- 18.1
Wide Blessing Muzarabani to Duan Jansen. Length ball, wide outside off stump moves in front driving, missed for 1 run, fielded by Marumani.
- 18.0
Over 18. 15 runs. Bowler: Newman Nyamhuri. South Africa: 186/5(rr 10.33)
- 17.6
FOUR! Newman Nyamhuri to Eathan Bosch. Length ball, to leg on the front foot flick, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs.
- 17.5
Newman Nyamhuri to Eathan Bosch. Slower ball full toss, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to deep extra cover for 2 runs, fielded by Burl.
- 17.4
Newman Nyamhuri to Duan Jansen. Half volley, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to long off for 1 run, fielded by Burl.
- 17.3
FOUR! Newman Nyamhuri to Duan Jansen. Full toss, down leg side on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control past fine leg for 4 runs.
- 17.1
OUT! Caught. Newman Nyamhuri to Rubin Hermann. Length ball, off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, Gloved in the air uncontrolled to leg slip, caught by Marumani. A tough decision goes against Hermann.
- 16.4
OUT! Caught. Brad Evans to Dewald Brevis. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long off, caught by Butt. Big wicket for Zimbabwe.
- 12.4
OUT! Stumped. Sikandar Raza to Tony de Zorzi. Off break length ball, outside off stump down the track driving, missed, by Marumani. Turn and bounce deceived Tony de Zorzi completely.
- 9.5
OUT! Caught. Brad Evans to Jordan Hermann. Back of a length, outside off stump moves in front pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Burl. Fantastic running catch from Ryan Burl.
- 7.5
OUT! Caught. Newman Nyamhuri to Connor Esterhuizen. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to point, caught by Curran. First breakthrough for Zimbabwe.