A dominant seven-wicket win over Zimbabwe in Harare has sent South Africa through to the T20 tri-series final, where they’ll face New Zealand. The defeat ends Zimbabwe’s campaign.
While Brian Bennett put up a lone fight with a valiant 61, Zimbabwe’s lineup was largely stifled by the South African bowlers. Led by Corbin Bosch and Nandre Burger, the attack held the hosts to just 144 for 6, a total that was never going to be enough.
Bosch was particularly effective, finishing with 2 for 16 from four overs and conceding no boundaries.
Zimbabwe’s innings never really gained momentum. The powerplay yielded just 29 runs for the loss of two wickets. Bennett tried to recover the innings with a counterattacking knock, supported briefly by Ryan Burl. Their 78-run stand gave Zimbabwe something to defend, but it wasn’t enough.
Bosch applied pressure early, removing Wessly Madhevere and Clive Madande within his first two overs. Later, he returned to tighten the screws with disciplined bowling at the death. Burger supported well, delivering 15 dot balls in his spell and conceding only 20 runs.
Without pacer Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe turned to Tinotenda Maposa with the new ball. He struck twice, removing both openers, but the middle order couldn’t follow through.
South Africa slipped to 22 for 2 in the chase, but Rubin Hermann and Rassie van der Dussen steadied the innings. Hermann, who had impressed on debut earlier in the series, struck a quickfire 63 from 36 balls. His knock included powerful strokes through the leg side and straight hits over the boundary.
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Hermann and Van der Dussen stitched together a vital 106-run stand. Hermann attacked, while Van der Dussen held firm with an unbeaten 52—smart, steady, and exactly what the innings needed.
Hermann was eventually bowled by Richard Ngarava in the 16th over, but by then the result was inevitable. South Africa needed just 17 more runs, which came in under two overs.
Zimbabwe’s campaign comes to a quiet end with three consecutive losses. Their last match holds no bearing on the final, where South Africa and New Zealand will meet.
As for Hermann, he walks away with two strong performances to start his international career. His goal, as he said after his debut, is to finish games for South Africa. This time, he got close.
