Rising South African star Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed a career-best 94 off 51 balls to fire his side to a 43-run win over Zimbabwe in theNamibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 in Windhoek on Tuesday.

Opening the batting after South Africa opted to bat first, the 20-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who represents Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, struck 12 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 184.31 to help the Proteas post 185/7.

"I'm just glad we got over the line. Milestones will come and go," Lhuan-dre Pretorius said after missing his maiden T20I century by six runs. "I was just gutted today because at the 14-over mark we'll get over 200 but we couldn't do that. But we won so I am happy.

"Everyone I speak to - I actually spoke to (Heinrich) Klaasen this morning - and he said if I give myself 15 balls, I can catch up. So I'm just going to try and give myself time always."

Pretorius raced to his fifty in just 27 balls as the South African cricket team reached 59 without loss at the end of the powerplay.

He put on 68 runs for the opening wicket with Jordan Hermann before combining with Dewald Brevis for an 86-run second-wicket partnership that put South Africa firmly in control.

Pretorius moved into the nineties but fell six runs short of his maiden T20I century when Brad Evans bowled him off the final delivery of the 19th over.

Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 142 in 17.4 overs as South Africa completed their second successive victory of the Namibia T20I Tri-Series.

Pretorius also took two catches and was named Player of the Match for his performance.

The 94 surpassed his previous T20I best of 51, scored against New Zealand in the final of the Zimbabwe T20 Tri-Series in Harare last year.

The knock also continued an impressive run of form for the Rajasthan Royals youngster. In July, Pretorius registered his maiden T20 century, smashing an unbeaten 102 off 52 balls for San Francisco against New York in Dallas in the United States.

Fellow Royal Kwena Maphaka was also in action for South Africa, finishing with figures of 0/33 from four overs and taking a catch.

South Africa will next face hosts Namibia in Windhoek on Friday.