Staff Reporter
NAMIBIA’S upcoming Cricket T20I tri-series against South Africa and Zimbabwe is being viewed as an important opportunity for the hosts to test themselves against top-level opposition, with South African batter Dewald Brevis describing the series as a valuable experience ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Brevis, one of the standout players in South Africa’s young squad, said playing at the Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek would give the Proteas an opportunity to adapt to different conditions while competing against two of the countries that will co-host next year’s World Cup.
“I’m very excited. The ground looks beautiful,” Brevis said ahead of the series, which starts on Friday.
He said the South African side would need to adapt quickly to the conditions and find ways to perform regardless of whether the pitch favours batting or presents a greater challenge.
“When it’s tougher, we find a way to also be positive and make it work. It’s exciting, and it’s always nice to say if the conditions are tough and you raise your hand as a team and you come out on top, it’s just a great opportunity,” Brevis said.
Namibia will host South Africa and Zimbabwe at the NCG from 28 August to 6 September, as the three countries continue preparations for the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
The tri-series will be followed by a three-match ODI series between Namibia and South Africa, with the matches scheduled for 9, 11 and 13 September in Windhoek.
Brevis said the young South African squad was approaching the series as a serious contest and an opportunity for players to establish themselves at international level.
“I see it as a contest for sure. Obviously, it is younger players stepping up, but everyone is very talented and deserves to be here,” he said.
“It’s an opportunity to represent your country and make your country proud. So, we are all fresh and ready to play.”
Brevis has represented South Africa in 30 T20Is, scoring a century and a half-century. He is among a number of young Proteas players expected to feature during the tour.
The series will also provide Namibia with an opportunity to measure its progress against South Africa and Zimbabwe ahead of the country’s historic first appearance as a co-host of the 2027 World Cup.
Namibia has enjoyed a strong run in T20I cricket since the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup, winning five of its last seven matches.
The hosts will be led by Gerhard Erasmus, while South Africa will be captained by Bjorn Fortuin.
South Africa’s squad includes Brevis, Eathan Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla and Prenelan Subrayen.
Duan Jansen, the twin brother of Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen, has received his maiden national call-up following strong performances in domestic cricket.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said the tour would provide players with an opportunity to build on their international experience.
“We’ve selected one squad for both series as we feel we have all departments well covered and it provides a great opportunity for players to build on their international caps,” Conrad said.
Meanwhile, Namibia’s Zane Green said competing against established cricketing nations was part of the country’s long-term ambition to raise its standard of cricket.
“It’s games like this that you measure yourself with the best in the world. If we could do it on a regular basis, the standard in cricket in Namibia can only go up,” Green said.
JJ Smit also highlighted the significance of hosting South Africa at the NCG, saying the venue had become an important symbol for the development of cricket in Namibia.
“The NCG is a beacon of hope for young boys and girls to realise there’s so much potential in this country,” Smit said.
He added that defeating South Africa would provide a major boost to Namibian cricket.
The opening match between Namibia and South Africa is scheduled for 14:00 on Friday, 28 August, at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.
The teams will meet again on 4 September, while Namibia will face Zimbabwe on 31 August and 3 September. South Africa and Zimbabwe will meet on 29 August and 1 September, with the final scheduled for 6 September.
The subsequent ODI series between Namibia and South Africa will take place on 9, 11 and 13 September, with all three matches starting at 09:30 local time.
Source: ICC Cricket
