South Africa produced a commanding all-round performance at the Namibia Cricket Ground to see off the Chevrons and finish the tournament on a high. After winning the toss, the Proteas elected to bat first and posted a competitive 205/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

Jordan Hermann led the charge with the bat, top-scoring with a superb 53 off 29 balls. His innings included eight fours and a six as he provided the Proteas with the perfect platform.

The tri-series champions. Photo: Cricinfo

Wicketkeeper Connor Esterhuizen and Dewald Brevis both contributed 32 off 23 balls, while Rubin Hermann struck 27 off 16. Duan Jansen then provided a late flourish, finishing unbeaten on 23 off just 14 deliveries.

Brad Evans was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers, claiming 2/36, while Newman Nyamhuri took 2/51 and captain Sikandar Raza finished with 1/30.

Zimbabwe never quite found their footing in the chase, although Evans refused to go quietly.

The all-rounder produced a fighting unbeaten 56 off 31 balls, smashing four fours and four sixes. Kundai Matigimu chipped in with 19 off 11, while Raza added 16, but there was ultimately too much work left for the Chevrons to do.

Zimbabwe were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs, handing the Proteas a comprehensive 48-run victory and the Tri-Series trophy.

The Hermann brothers, Jordan and Rubin. Photo: Cricinfo

Captain Bjorn Fortuin led from the front with the ball, claiming an impressive 3/24 in his four overs. Jansen once again underlined his growing reputation at international level, taking 3/38 in his four-over spell.

That performance took Jansen’s tally to 11 wickets in just four matches since making his international debut against hosts Namibia.

Following the victory, Fortuin said there was plenty for the Proteas to be pleased about during the Tri-Series, particularly the way different players stepped up when called upon.

Connor Esterhuizen. Photo: Cricinfo

“I think the most important thing is winning,” said Fortuin.

“That’s the type of culture we want to build within a young side, especially that winning mentality, and having different guys contributing to that as a whole is another bonus.

“We don’t want to be one of those teams that’s too reliant or too dependent on three or four players. So, it’s nice to see guys winning games from different positions in the team and in different situations as well.

Potchefstroom born-and-bred Duan Jansen was the bowler of the tri-series with 11 wickets in his first four T20 Internationals. Photo: Cricinfo

“Not only is that good for their development, but it should also stand the team in good stead going into the future.”

The Proteas will now turn their attention to the longer white-ball format when they face hosts Namibia in a three-match One-Day International series.

The first ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, with the opening delivery in Windhoek set to be bowled at 09:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm