Namibia created history immediately after qualifying for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. He created history in the only T20I as he inaugurated the new Namibia Cricket Ground with a T20I match against South Africa for the first time in any international format.
Namibia Cricket Association is one of the official co-hosts for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 along with South Africa and Zimbabwe. This ground has been built to host teams for the World Cup matches to be held in the country.
Namibia won against weak South Africa team
Namibia played South Africa for the first time in any international format and then defeated them in a thrilling encounter between the two teams. The big upset came against a weak South African team, as all the senior cricketers were absent from the team.
But Namibia will not care what kind of South African team they win against as they celebrate in front of a capacity crowd of 4000 at the inaugural Namibia Cricket Ground.
South Africa is the fourth full-member team to lose to Namibia, while teams like Zimbabwe, Ireland and Sri Lanka were among the previously defeated teams.
Like South Africa, who lost wickets early in their innings, the Namibian innings also had a poor start and they were reduced to 84/5 in the 13th over. However, their lower order performed brilliantly, with Zane Green’s unbeaten 30 sealing the team’s victory.
History in Windhoek
Namibia defeated South Africa in their first encounter. A dream start at their new home ground#NAMvSA pic.twitter.com/RW8daWpeu8
– FanCode (@FanCode) 11 October 2025
Quinton de Kock’s international comeback was short-lived
The stage was all set for one of the most awaited comebacks in the international format, as South Africa’s veteran Quinton de Kock made a comeback in the shortest format of the game.
Quinton de Kock got the card at no. 1; However, the great batsman’s comeback was short-lived. Namibian captain Gerhard Erasmus opened the bowling and De Kock was first with his famous pull. After taking his first run over mid-wicket, he attempted to hit it over square leg but missed it to Ruben Trumpelman. He was out after scoring just 1 run on 4 balls.
De Kock also returned with the gloves for South Africa and converted the only chance he had cleanly; However, it was a no-ball in the first over of the Namibian innings.
Gerald Coetzee injured
Gerald Coetzee was brought on for the first change and made an early impact. He started off very straight and was sent to the borderline; However, the bowler immediately readjusted his length to surprise Laurens Steenkamp at the start and then bowled him out. Namibia’s two wickets had fallen for 28 runs.
He started his second over wide of the leg side, which was the beginning of disaster. After this, Erasmus gave him four runs and then bowled three more wides.
The next ball went past Coetzee, and any extra effort Coetzee made was wasted. He walked off the field with three balls remaining. An update from CSA said the injury was likely to be to the pectoral muscle.
Also read: ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: England regain top spot with crushing win over Sri Lanka
