Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored a maiden Twenty20 international century as South Africa beat brave Namibia by 11 runs on Friday in a thrilling final league match of a tri-series with Zimbabwe.
Pretorius and fellow opener Connor Esterhuizen (88) put on 156 for the first wicket in Windhoek en route to 228-4, the fifth highest South African T20I total.
Namibia responded boldly, led by Jan Frylink (72) and Louren Steenkamp (61), whose 119-run first-wicket partnership helped the hosts reach 217-3.
Pretorius had scored 101 off 53 deliveries, including eight sixes and five fours, when he reacted late to a Gerhard Erasmus yorker and had his stumps uprooted.
Zimbabwe benefited from the result as it left them above Namibia in the standings. They will face South Africa in the final on Sunday.
An experimental South African side, missing resting Temba Bavuma and injured Kagiso Radaba, secured six points from four matches. Zimbabwe collected four and Namibia two.
Brief scores
South Africa 228-4 in 20 overs (L. Pretorius 101, C. Esterhuizen 88; J. Bait 2-31) v Namibia 217-3 in 20 overs (J. Frylink 72, L. Steenkamp 61; N. Mokoena 2-43)
Result: South Africa won by 11 runs
Toss: Namibia
Sunday: Final – South Africa v Zimbabwe (1200 GMT)
