South Africa Ease Past Zimbabwe with 7-Wicket Win in Harare
South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 7 wickets in the 4th match of the Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series on July 20, 2025. Chasing 145, Rubin Hermann starred with 63 off 36 balls, while Van der Dussen added 52*. Earlier, Zimbabwe posted 144/6, with Brian Bennett scoring 61. Corbin Bosch took 2 wickets in South Africa's tidy bowling effort.
On July 20, 2025, the Harare Sports Club was alive with excitement as Zimbabwe stepped up to bat first in the fourth match of the T20 Tri-Series against South Africa. After losing the toss, with South Africa’s captain Rassie van der Dussen choosing to bowl, Zimbabwe faced a tough challenge. Led by Sikandar Raza, Zimbabwe were eager to break their losing run against a strong South African team.
Brian Bennett Takes Zimbabwe to 144 Runs
Zimbabwe’s openers, Wessly Madhevere and Brian Bennett, walked out to face a tight South African bowling attack. Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch bowled with precision, keeping the runs in check. Madhevere started brightly, hitting two clean boundaries through the off-side to make 13 off 14 balls. But his promising knock ended in the fourth over when Bosch got one to nip away, and van der Dussen took a sharp catch at slip. At 18 for 1 after 3.3 overs, Zimbabwe were already under pressure, needing their top order to dig in.
End of the PowerPlay 🔥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 20, 2025
A disciplined start with the ball from our Proteas Men, applying the squeeze early and keeping Zimbabwe to 29/2 after 6 overs 🎯🇿🇦.#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/MJKiPv0Bc7
Clive Madande, the wicketkeeper, came in next, but he found it hard to get going against South Africa’s disciplined bowlers. He managed one big shot, lofting a slower ball over midwicket for six, but couldn’t settle. In the fifth over, Bosch struck again, getting Madande to pop up a catch back to him for 8 off 8 balls. By the end of the powerplay, Zimbabwe were 28 for 2, scoring at just 4.83 runs per over with only 29 runs on the board. Losing two wickets early left them in a shaky spot, and the middle order had to step up.
Sikandar Raza, the captain, came in at number four, looking to steady the ship and push the scoring rate. Known for his flair against spin, he played cautiously at first, managing one boundary, a crisp drive through cover. But legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter got the better of him in the eighth over. Raza, trying to up the tempo, chipped a catch to Nandre Burger at mid-off, out for 9 off 12 balls. At 44 for 3, Zimbabwe were in a hole, their run rate still below six an over, and the innings needed a spark.
That spark came from Brian Bennett and Ryan Burl, who put together a vital partnership in the middle overs. Bennett, who had been quiet early on, found his groove, unleashing a series of cracking shots. He took on Peter’s legspin, smashing a huge six over long-on that sailed into the stands and another over midwicket that showed his power. His 61 off 43 balls, with seven fours and three sixes, was a brilliant effort, reaching a fifty off 38 balls. His strike rate of 141.86 kept Zimbabwe’s hopes alive, mixing aggressive drives with clever placement.
Burl played the supporting role, chipping in with 21 runs as their 50-run partnership came up in just 30 balls. Together, they added 78 runs for the fourth wicket in 47 balls, giving Zimbabwe a much-needed boost. The team crossed 100 in the 13th over, helped by 8 extras (5 leg byes, 3 wides). Just when it looked like Zimbabwe could kick on, Ngidi struck in the 16th over. Bennett, eyeing another big shot, was outfoxed by a slower ball and bowled for 61, ending his 72-minute knock. His exit at 122 for 4 triggered a wobble that hurt Zimbabwe’s momentum.
🚨 Change of Innings 🚨
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 20, 2025
A fiery finish to the first innings as the game springs to life in the final phase 🔥🏏!
Our Proteas Men showed discipline and intent with the ball and are now turning their focus to the chase 💪🇿🇦.#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/YawyjVCt1W
Tashinga Musekiwa, sent in to keep the runs flowing, lasted just one ball, nicking Burger to Dewald Brevis at point for a duck. At 123 for 5 in the 16.3rd over, Zimbabwe’s chances of a big total were slipping. Tony Munyonga’s stay was even briefer, run out for 1 off 1 ball after a mix-up, with George Linde’s quick throw and Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ sharp work behind the stumps doing the damage. At 126 for 6 in the 17th over, Zimbabwe were struggling to finish strong. Ryan Burl, not out on 36 off 31 with two fours and a six, battled on with Tinotenda Maposa, who made 8 off 10. But South Africa’s bowlers, especially Bosch with his superb 2 for 16 in four overs without a boundary, and Burger with 1 for 20, kept things tight. Zimbabwe added just 22 runs in the last four overs, finishing at 144 for 6.
South Africa Chase the Target in 17.2 Overs
Chasing 145 to book a spot in the T20 Tri-Series final, South Africa came in with confidence, even without some of their big names. Zimbabwe’s bowling, missing key seamer Blessing Muzarabani, faced a tough task against a strong Proteas batting lineup led by Rassie van der Dussen. The chase had its early hiccups, a commanding middle phase, and a smooth finish, as South Africa reached 145 for 3 in 17.2 overs, winning by seven wickets with 16 balls to spare.
Halfway through the chase 🔥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 20, 2025
Rassie van der Dussen and Rubin Hermann have injected momentum into the innings, keeping the chase on track 💥🏏.
Our Proteas men are 71/2 after 10 overs, with 74 runs needed from 60 balls 🇿🇦💪.#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/SEDc2Hypbi
South Africa’s start wasn’t smooth. Opener Lhuan-dre Pretorius, also the keeper, looked to attack but fell for 4 off 7 balls in the second over. Tinotenda Maposa, bowling with good pace, got him to miscue, and Sikandar Raza pouched a catch at mid-off. Reeza Hendricks, expected to guide the chase, couldn’t find his rhythm, scratching around for one boundary before edging Maposa to keeper Clive Madande for 6 off 13 balls. At 22 for 2 after 4.1 overs, the powerplay gave South Africa 33 runs but cost them two wickets, putting the middle order under pressure to steady the ship.
Rassie van der Dussen and Rubin Hermann then took over, building a partnership that turned the game around. Hermann, in just his second T20I, played with fearless aggression, smashing three fours and four sixes. His 63 off 36 balls, at a strike rate of 175.00, was a game-changer, reaching a fifty off 29 balls. He took on Raza’s spin, launching a huge six, and played smart shots against the spinners, including neat sweeps. Van der Dussen, anchoring the innings, played with calm precision, hitting six fours in his unbeaten 52 off 41 balls, reaching his fifty off 40 balls.
Their 106-run stand for the third wicket, off 66 balls, crushed Zimbabwe’s hopes. The 50-run mark came in just 37 balls, with Hermann contributing 32, including three sixes. South Africa passed 100 in the 12th over, making the chase look easy. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to respond as Raza’s two overs cost 26 runs, and Wellington Masakadza gave away 25 in three. Richard Ngarava was the best of the lot, taking 1 for 21 in four overs, including a maiden. He finally broke through in the 16th over, bowling Hermann with a cracking yorker, but South Africa needed just 17 more runs.
Into the final phase of the contest! 🔥
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 20, 2025
Momentum is with the Proteas Men as the third wicket stand continues to pile on the runs 🇿🇦💪
We've moved to 121/2 after 15 overs, with just 24 runs needed from 30 balls 🏏. #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/rgjXabQQX4
Dewald Brevis came in to finish things off, smashing a four and a six in his unbeaten 13 off 7 balls. Van der Dussen, cool as ever at 52 not out, guided the team home with a single off Trevor Gwandu in the 18th over. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, apart from Ngarava and Maposa (2 for 38), lacked bite. Without Muzarabani, their attack couldn’t keep the pressure on, and the spinners, including Raza and Masakadza, were expensive. South Africa’s chase was clinical, with Hermann’s bold knock earning him the Player of the Match award. The win knocked Zimbabwe out of the tournament and secured South Africa’s place in the final alongside New Zealand.
TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game
Brian Bennett lit up the Harare Sports Club with a brilliant knock that became TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game. For Zimbabwe, Bennett’s 61 off 43 balls was a display of pure class and aggression. Over 72 minutes, he smashed seven fours and three sixes, racing along at a strike rate of 141.86. Coming in after Wessly Madhevere’s early exit, Bennett held the innings together, mixing powerful shots with clever placement.
T20I half-century No. 4 for Brian Bennett 👏
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 20, 2025
Ball-by-ball 📝: https://t.co/UQV6kxdrCd#ExperienceZimbabwe #T20ITriSeries #ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/HmBKgMtryN
His 78-run stand with Ryan Burl was the heart of Zimbabwe’s 144 for 6, keeping them in the game despite a late wobble. Bennett’s highlight was his assault on Nqabayomzi Peter, with a six over long-on that cleared the stands and another over midwicket that got the crowd roaring. Even against a tight bowling attack, with Corbin Bosch (2 for 16) and Nandre Burger (1 for 20) keeping things quiet, Bennett’s fearless batting stood out. His knock ended in the 16th over, bowled by a clever slower ball from Lungi Ngidi, but not before he’d given Zimbabwe a fighting chance.
TCNI’s Hero of the Day
Rubin Hermann stole the show for South Africa, earning TCNI’s Hero of the Day with a match-winning performance in their chase of 145. Hermann blasted 63 off 36 balls in just 50 minutes, with a strike rate of 175.00. His knock, packed with three fours and four sixes, turned the game after South Africa’s early stumbles. With Lhuan-dre Pretorius (4) and Reeza Hendricks (6) gone cheaply, Hermann came in and took charge, smashing his way to a fifty off 29 balls.
A phenomenal display of class and composure! 💪
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 20, 2025
Rubin Hermann lit up the crease with a blistering 63 off just 36 balls, showcasing an innings full of intent, timing, and flair. 🇿🇦🏏
His standout knock earned him the Player of the Match award! 👏🔥#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/drfFHGnb5T
His 106-run partnership with Rassie van der Dussen, who made an unbeaten 52, made the chase a breeze, as South Africa finished at 145 for 3 in 17.2 overs. Hermann’s bold shots, including a huge six off Sikandar Raza and sharp sweeps against the spinners, kept the run rate at 8.36. He fell to Richard Ngarava’s yorker in the 16th over, but by then, the job was nearly done, with Dewald Brevis (13 not out) wrapping things up.
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