Namibia claimed a historic four-wicket win over South Africa in Windhoek yesterday, in the first ever-clash with their powerful neighbours. The one-off T20 clash, staged to inaugurate the new Namibia Cricket Ground, ended dramatically as Zane Green struck the winning boundary off the final ball to seal a chase of 135.

Green finished unbeaten on 30 from 23 balls, sharing a crucial seventh-wicket partnership with Ruben Trumpelmann to guide the hosts to 138/6. Earlier, Trumpelmann had also shone with the ball, taking 3/28 as South Africa struggled to 134-8. Jason Smith top-scored with 31, while returning wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock managed just one run in his first international appearance since June 2024.

The Durban-born Trumpelmann was named Man of the Match.

Despite fielding a depleted side with several players away for a Test series in Pakistan (which started today), the Proteas were outplayed by a spirited Namibian team that held their nerve under pressure. The result delivered a memorable milestone for the Associate nation, underlining Namibia’s growing stature in international cricket.