South Africa completed their T20I Tri-Series campaign in Windhoek in emphatic fashion, beating Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the final to lift the trophy.

After electing to bat first, the Proteas posted an imposing 205/5 from their 20 overs, led by Jordan Hermann’s 53 off 29 balls, before Zimbabwe were bowled out for 157 in 18 overs.

South Africa made a strong start through Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen, with the opening pair putting on 84 runs inside the first eight overs.

Esterhuizen contributed 32 off 23 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, while Hermann provided the greater attacking threat at the other end.

The left-hander reached his half-century from 28 balls before falling for 53 off 29, an innings featuring eight fours and a six.

Zimbabwe managed to slow South Africa briefly after breaking the opening partnership, with Esterhuizen and Hermann departing within 12 runs of each other.

However, South Africa continued to find contributions throughout the middle order.

Tony de Zorzi struck 17 off 11 before being stumped off the bowling of Sikandar Raza, while Dewald Brevis and Rubin Hermann combined to keep the innings moving.

Brevis made 32 off 23 balls with two fours and two sixes, while Rubin Hermann struck 27 from 16 deliveries.

South Africa were 172/5 after Hermann’s dismissal in the 18th over, but Duan Jansen provided the late acceleration they needed.

Jansen struck four boundaries in an unbeaten 23 from 14 balls, while Eathan Bosch finished seven not out from four as South Africa added 33 runs from the final 17 deliveries to push their total beyond 200.

Zimbabwe’s pursuit of 206 was then severely damaged almost immediately.

Bosch dismissed Ben Curran for a golden duck with the second ball of the innings before Jansen removed Brian Bennett for six.

Bosch struck again when Innocent Kaia was dismissed for nine, leaving Zimbabwe 19/3 at the end of the third over.

Jansen then removed Wessly Madhevere for six as Zimbabwe slumped to 25/4 inside four overs.

There was no significant recovery from the Zimbabwean top and middle order as South Africa continued to strike regularly.

Captain Bjorn Fortuin entered the attack and removed Ryan Burl for 13 before Prenelan Subrayen accounted for Tadiwanashe Marumani.

Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza was their next major hope, but he was dismissed for 16 when Jordan Hermann produced a superb catch at extra cover off Fortuin.

At 61/7, the contest was effectively beyond Zimbabwe.

Fortuin added his third wicket when Newman Nyamhuri was dismissed for seven, reducing Zimbabwe to 81/8.

Brad Evans provided some late resistance and ensured Zimbabwe’s final margin of defeat was reduced significantly.

Evans attacked the South African bowlers on his way to an unbeaten 56 from just 31 deliveries, hitting four fours and four sixes. He shared a 52-run ninth-wicket partnership with Kundai Matigimu, who contributed 19 off 11.

Kwena Maphaka eventually broke the partnership by removing Matigimu before Jansen wrapped up the match when Blessing Muzarabani was caught by Fortuin.

Zimbabwe were dismissed for 157 after exactly 18 overs, sealing South Africa’s 48-run victory.

Fortuin finished with impressive figures of 3/24 from his four overs, while Jansen claimed 3/38. Bosch took 2/22, with Maphaka and Subrayen collecting a wicket each.

The victory secured the Namibia T20I Tri-Series title for a young South African side captained by Fortuin and brought their T20 leg of the tour to a successful conclusion.

South Africa will now turn their attention to the 50-over format, with their historic three-match ODI series against hosts Namibia next on the schedule.