Lhuan-dre Pretorius fell short of a maiden T20I century before captain Bjorn Fortuin led an impressive bowling display as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs in Windhoek on Tuesday to book their place in the Namibia T20I Tri-Series final.

Pretorius smashed 94 from just 51 deliveries to lead South Africa to 185/7 after they elected to bat first at the Namibia Cricket Ground.

Fortuin then claimed 4/24, while Duan Jansen picked up 3/21, as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 142 in 17.4 overs.

South Africa built their innings around a strong start from Pretorius and Jordan Hermann, with the pair putting on 68 for the opening wicket.

Hermann contributed 28 from 25 deliveries before Wessly Madhevere made the breakthrough in the eighth over.

Pretorius continued to attack and found another willing partner in Dewald Brevis as the pair added 86 runs for the second wicket.

Brevis struck 41 from 27 balls, including two fours and three sixes, as South Africa moved beyond 150 in the 15th over.

Brad Evans eventually broke the partnership when Brevis was caught by Sikandar Raza for 41 with the score on 154/2.

Zimbabwe managed to slow South Africa’s progress during the closing stages, with Connor Esterhuizen falling for two before Madhevere removed Rubin Hermann and Eathan Bosch.

Pretorius, however, continued to push towards three figures.

The opener entered the final two overs within touching distance of his century but was bowled by Evans for 94 from 51 balls. His innings included 12 fours and three sixes and came at a strike rate of 184.31.

Fortuin was run out from the final delivery of the innings as South Africa closed on 185/7.

Madhevere was Zimbabwe’s most successful bowler with 3/20 from three overs, while Evans finished with 2/33.

Zimbabwe needed a strong start in pursuit of 186, but South Africa’s bowlers quickly took control of the contest.

Prenelan Subrayen removed Ben Curran for four before Fortuin struck twice in the fourth over.

Brian Bennett was caught by Pretorius for 13 before Madhevere fell for a duck two balls later, leaving Zimbabwe struggling on 33/3.

Jansen then ripped through the middle order.

He produced a yorker to bowl Innocent Kaia for 18 before taking a superb one-handed return catch to dismiss Ryan Burl for one.

Jansen struck again with his very next delivery, trapping Tadiwanashe Marumani lbw for a first-ball duck as Zimbabwe collapsed to 51/6.

Nqabayomzi Peter joined the wicket-taking with his first delivery, removing Brad Evans for two, before Wellington Masakadza was run out to leave Zimbabwe in deep trouble at 66/8.

Raza provided Zimbabwe’s main resistance and attempted to keep the chase alive with 45 from 33 deliveries, striking five fours and two sixes.

Fortuin ended his resistance in the 14th over, spotting Raza advancing down the pitch and firing the ball wider, allowing Esterhuizen to complete the stumping.

Newman Nyamhuri extended the innings with 27 from 25 balls before Fortuin claimed the final wicket, with Bosch taking the catch at long-off.

Zimbabwe were dismissed for 142, handing South Africa a 43-run victory and securing their place in the Tri-Series final.

Fortuin finished with outstanding figures of 4/24 from 3.4 overs, including a maiden, while Jansen’s three wickets came at an economy rate of just 5.25. Subrayen and Peter claimed one wicket apiece.

Result: South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 43 runs.

South Africa: 185/7 (20 overs) – Lhuan-dre Pretorius 94 (51), Dewald Brevis 41 (27), Jordan Hermann 28 (25); Wessly Madhevere 3/20, Brad Evans 2/33.

Zimbabwe: 142 all out (17.4 overs) – Sikandar Raza 45 (33), Newman Nyamhuri 27 (25); Bjorn Fortuin 4/24, Duan Jansen 3/21, Prenelan Subrayen 1/22.