Africa-Press – Namibia. Cricket fans across southern Africa are turning their attention to Windhoek this weekend, where Namibia will host South Africa in a historic one-off T20 International at the newly built Namibia Cricket Ground. The match, scheduled for Saturday, 11 October at 14:00, marks the first official international meeting between the two nations in any format.
The fixture carries significance beyond the result itself. For Namibia, currently ranked 16th in the ICC T20I standings, it represents another major step in their rapid development on the global stage. Having already secured qualification for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, Gerhard Erasmus and his team will look to use this match both as a test and as a statement, to prove they can compete with a full ICC member nation in home conditions.
South Africa, meanwhile, have arrived with a younger, experimental squad led by Donovan Ferreira. Many senior players, including Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram, have been rested ahead of upcoming tours. The side, however, still carries depth and experience through players such as Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks and Bjorn Fortuin, while rising talents like Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Gerald Coetzee will be eager to make their mark.
Namibia’s strength lies in their well-balanced attack, spearheaded by Ruben Trumpelmann and Ben Shikongo with the new ball, and supported by the reliable left-arm spin of Bernard Scholtz. All-rounders JJ Smit and Jan Frylinck add depth on both fronts, and their contributions with the bat could be crucial in setting or chasing a total against a strong South African pace unit.
Weather conditions in Windhoek are expected to be clear and warm – ideal for cricket. The pitch, being relatively new, is likely to offer early assistance to seamers before flattening out in the middle overs, potentially favouring teams batting second under consistent sunlight.
The contest will also serve as an important moment for Namibian cricket supporters, celebrating how far the nation has come since competing under the name South West Africa in South African domestic cricket more than sixty years ago.
With both sides eager to make history, tomorrow’s match promises to deliver not only competitive cricket, but also a symbolic moment for the sport in the region.
Match Details:
Venue: Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Time: 14:00 local time
Broadcast: SuperSport (Africa), ICC.tv (global streaming)
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