In an amazing display of batting dominance, South Africa U19 The team rewrote the record books at the High-Performance Oval in Windhoek on Monday. Facing tournament debutants tanzania In a match of Group D 2026 ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World CupJunior Proteas scored a mammoth total of 397/5. This monumental figure not only set the benchmark for the highest team score in the current edition, but is also South Africa’s highest ever score in the history of the Under-19 World Cup.
After a narrow 28-run defeat, this performance served as a fierce redemption arc for the South Africans afghanistan In the opening match of their tournament. By breaking Sri Lanka’s short-lived record of 391 (set against Japan just a few days earlier), the Proteas have now moved up to eighth place in the all-time list of highest scores in the history of the competition.
South Africa U19 batsmen better their own record in the World Cup
The foundation of this historic score was laid by a masterclass of aggressive but calculated batting. after openers Zorich Van Schalkwyk (quick 47 runs from 34) and Adnan Lagadian (32) provided a solid start, the captain took over the stage Muhammad Bulbulia and in-form Jason Rowles. The duo put on a disastrous partnership of 201 runs for the third wicket, a stand that effectively eliminated Tanzania from the competition.
Bulbulia led by example, opening the innings with a perfect 108 off 108 balls and reached his milestone with a sky-scraping six before finally being dismissed. However, it was Rowles who stole the show with his power. After an innings of 98 in the previous game, Rowles remained unbeaten on 125 off just 101 balls with ten fours and five sixes. Their chemistry completely changed the tempo, pushing the run rate into the stratosphere and forcing the Tanzanian bowlers to search for answers.
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Clinical finish by South Africa and a clear win against Tanzania.
Even after the captain’s dismissal, the South African attack showed no signs of slowing down. paul james He provided fireworks in the late innings, playing a sensational inning of 46 runs off just 18 balls. His strike rate of over 250 ensured that the Proteas maintained their momentum, falling just three runs short of the 400-run target.
The scoreboard pressure proved unbearable for Tanzania. led South Africa’s bowling unit Bayanda Majhola (2/6) and multi-talented Jason Rowles (2/14) bowled out the opposition for just 68 runs in 32.2 overs. The resulting 329-run win is now the second-largest winning margin in U19 World Cup history, a statistic that significantly boosts South Africa’s net run rate (NRR) as they eye the knockout stages.
With this record-breaking pace, the Junior Proteas have now turned their attention to the high-stakes final of Group D. west indies On 22 January. If they repeat this clinical form, the 2014 champions will look to be serious contenders to regain the crown in 2026.
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