Dewald Brevis produced an unbeaten 75 off just 32 balls as South Africa got their first win in their T20I Tri-Series campaign with a commanding seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Saturday.

After Zimbabwe posted 144/8 from their 20 overs, the Proteas made light work of the chase, racing to 146/3 in just 13.4 overs to seal victory with 38 balls remaining.

Brevis was the star of the chase, striking seven fours and six sixes at a strike rate of 234.37 as South Africa’s young batting line-up attacked Zimbabwe from the outset.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to bat, with Ben Curran providing the early momentum.

Curran smashed 24 from just 12 deliveries, including four fours and a six, before Duan Jansen made the breakthrough in the sixth over. Curran attempted to take on the short ball but could only send it towards mid-on, where Tony de Zorzi produced an excellent catch running back.

Brian Bennett helped Zimbabwe reach 61/1 at the end of the powerplay, but South Africa began to take control through their spinners.

Captain Bjorn Fortuin removed Dion Myers for 17 before Prenelan Subrayen bowled Bennett for 34, reducing Zimbabwe to 80/3.

Eathan Bosch then claimed his maiden T20I wicket on debut, and it arrived courtesy of a spectacular piece of fielding from Jordan Hermann.

Raza struck Bosch firmly towards extra cover, but Hermann produced a superb diving catch to dismiss the Zimbabwe captain for 10.

Subrayen followed by bowling Ryan Burl for four as Zimbabwe slipped from 76/1 to 94/5.

Tadiwanashe Marumani provided Zimbabwe with a late injection of runs, hammering 30 from just 13 deliveries, including three sixes.

His cameo ended when he miscued a slower delivery from Kwena Maphaka, with Hermann taking the catch at deep midwicket.

Jansen then struck twice in the final over, dismissing Wessly Madhevere for 12 and Brad Evans for four as Zimbabwe finished on 144/8.

Jansen ended with 3/45 from his four overs, while Subrayen returned 2/27. Bosch impressed on debut with 1/20 from four overs, while Maphaka and Fortuin claimed a wicket each.

South Africa showed their intentions immediately in pursuit of 145.

Jordan Hermann struck four boundaries in his 20 off 13 balls before Newman Nyamhuri removed him in the fourth over.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius maintained the aggression with 22 from 13 deliveries as South Africa raced to 50 in just 4.4 overs.

Pretorius fell to Brad Evans with the score on 61, but his dismissal only brought Brevis further into the spotlight.

Brevis took complete control of the chase, reaching his half-century from only 24 deliveries, having struck four fours and five sixes to that point.

He shared a 46-run partnership with de Zorzi, who contributed 15 from 17 balls before falling to Blessing Muzarabani at the end of the 11th over.

By then, South Africa needed only 38 more runs for victory.

Brevis continued attacking alongside Rubin Hermann, who finished unbeaten on 11 from seven balls, as the Proteas completed the chase in the 14th over.

Brevis finished unbeaten on 75 from 32 balls, with seven fours and six sixes, as South Africa reached 146/3 at a run rate of 10.68 per over to complete an emphatic start to their Tri-Series campaign.

Result: South Africa beat Zimbabwe by seven wickets with 38 balls remaining.

Zimbabwe: 144/8 (20 overs) – Brian Bennett 34, Tadiwanashe Marumani 30, Ben Curran 24; Duan Jansen 3/45, Prenelan Subrayen 2/27, Eathan Bosch 1/20.

South Africa: 146/3 (13.4 overs) – Dewald Brevis 75* (32), Lhuan-dre Pretorius 22, Jordan Hermann 20; Brad Evans 1/19, Blessing Muzarabani 1/30, Newman Nyamhuri 1/31.