Lhuan-dré Pretorius revealed that a conversation with former Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen helped him reset mentally before producing a match-winning 94 against Zimbabwe in Windhoek.

The 20-year-old smashed 12 fours and three sixes as South Africa posted 185/7 before completing a 43-run victory in their T20I Tri-Series encounter.

Pretorius fell just six runs short of what would have been his maiden T20I century, but the young opener was far more interested in what the innings contributed towards a Proteas victory.

“I wasn’t too fussed about it. I believe that milestones will come and go,” Pretorius said.

“It’s a team sport. If I was too worried about my milestone, I should rather play tennis or golf.”

The innings came after Pretorius had struggled for runs earlier in the tournament.

Looking for some guidance, he turned to someone who knows plenty about the demands of international T20 batting – Heinrich Klaasen.

“Coming off a couple of low scores in the Hundred and the first two games here, I just felt like I had to speak to him,” Pretorius explained.

“Obviously, he’s played a lot of T20 cricket around the world and he’s experienced most things – all the ups and all the downs, the low lows and high highs.

“I know he always tells me that I can go to him and ask him for advice and stuff, and I feel like there’s no one better to ask advice from than Klaas.”

Klaasen’s message was simple.

“He just told me to give myself the best chance I can and get to 15 balls and put those small targets in, and that’s all I was focused on.”

Pretorius believes the value of those conversations isn’t necessarily about copying how Klaasen bats, but understanding the mindset required to succeed in T20 cricket.

“We obviously play different roles. He bats in the middle, but he’s experienced it and he’s a batter.

“It’s more about mindset. I feel like we have some similarities around it and he really helped me in terms of my mindset going into today.”

Pretorius also offered an interesting insight into the approach South Africa’s young batting group has taken into the tournament.

Rather than expecting every batter to perform in every match, the message has been for one member of the top five to take responsibility when it is their day.

“We were speaking before the tournament started that, as a top five, if one batter can put his hand up and win the game for the team, I believe he’s done it in the first two.

“Today was my day and hopefully the next game it’s someone else’s day.

“You have to maximise it because T20 cricket is a game of high risk and small margins. You’re not always going to get those high scores.”

That philosophy also explains why reaching three figures wasn’t at the front of Pretorius’ mind as he approached his century.

At the 14-over mark, South Africa were targeting 200.

“I knew if I get the team to 200, then I’ll get to the 100,” he said.

“Milestones come and go. Hopefully I get another chance.”

South Africa eventually finished 15 runs short of that target, but Pretorius felt they had enough to defend.

“We were still happy with 185. Although we felt we were 15 short, we just knew we had to make it up in the field.

“All that matters is we won, which is nice.”

Despite establishing himself as one of South Africa’s most exciting young T20 batters, Pretorius also reiterated his ambition to represent the Proteas across all three formats.

Asked about franchise leagues and his ambitions for the future, Pretorius pointed towards Quinton de Kock as his cricketing idol but made it clear that international cricket remains a major priority.

“All these leagues, it’s very good. It’s really nice to experience different conditions and meet new people and get into different networks all around the globe.

“But for me, Test cricket is right up there.

“I think Test cricket – all three formats – would be really nice to play for your country.”

For now, Pretorius isn’t looking too far ahead.

With a long South African summer approaching, the 20-year-old wants to continue learning wherever his next opportunity comes.

“Your aim is obviously to be in the squad for the Proteas. But I’m still 20 years old, so I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and take every opportunity with every squad I’m fortunate enough to be in.

“If I’m not in the squads, I’ll play domestic cricket, play red-ball, which I’m really excited about.

“So it’s a win-win.”

Want more than the scorecard?

Every Friday, CFM goes deeper into the conversations, performances and stories shaping South African cricket.

Get the CFM Friday Edition free in your inbox.

Sign up below 👇