South Africa vs Namibia Live Score, 1st ODI of South Africa tour of Namibia, 2026

And that's a wrap - That's all from this historic first meeting between Namibia and South Africa in ODIs. Sadly, it turned into a one-sided, rain-interrupted affair, but Namibia will hope for a much stronger showing when these sides meet again in the second ODI on Friday, 11 September, at 7.30 am GMT. Do join us early for the build-up. For now, switch over to the England vs Pakistan third Test, where every ball is proving to be an event. Cheers!

Nice to see different players stepping up - The captain of South Africa, Bjorn Fortuin, says it is good to get off to a positive start to the ODI series and see players standing up when it matters. He singles out Jordan Hermann's incredible knock, calling it an unbelievable effort, and says they hope to build on this momentum. Fortuin says you can never take performing well for the team for granted. He adds that whatever happens in terms of selection is out of their hands, and all they can do is perform to the best of their ability.

We were never in the game - Gerhard Erasmus, the captain of Namibia, says they never really were in the game, particularly after failing to put themselves in a position to push for a win in the first quarter of the chase. He adds that they lost a few extra wickets, although there are some positives with both bat and ball to take forward. Erasmus says he would have chosen to bowl again and has no regrets about the decision at the toss. He adds that the remaining games are very important for Namibia in the bigger picture of the Cricket World Cup League 2, with the team looking to get the players into good form and build confidence ahead of the matches in America.

Delighted to contribute - Jordan Hermann is the obvious choice for the Player of the Match award after a stupendous knock of 150 on his ODI debut. Says he is thankful to God for the opportunity and describes the feeling of being out in the middle as a really nice one. He is delighted to have contributed to the team's win. On becoming a joint record-holder for the highest score on ODI debut, Hermann says it is very cool to think about, but adds that getting the result is the coolest thing of all.

Stay tuned for the presentation...

Summary of first innings -  Earlier in the afternoon, after getting invited to bat first, South Africa were watchful after losing an early wicket, but Namibia had little to show for their effort thereafter. A superb 190-run stand between Jordan Hermann and Tony de Zorzi laid the platform, with Hermann going on to make 150, the joint-highest score on ODI debut. Dewald Brevis then brought his trademark intent to the middle, keeping the tempo ticking. Just when the Proteas threatened to lose momentum at the death, Corbin Bosch's timely 39-run cameo propelled them to a formidable 348/6. Ruben Trumpelmann was the standout bowler for Namibia, while the rest blew hot and cold, and their ground fielding left plenty to be desired.

Flavourless batting approach - Namibia's chase never really got going. A cautious opening ten overs left them with little momentum, allowing South Africa's bowlers to settle in, control the scoring and, most importantly, keep the boundaries coming at a premium. Malan Kruger battled for 60 balls and helped put together a 51-run opening stand, but the rising run rate eventually consumed him and the other batters who followed. Two rain interruptions further chopped the chase to 38 and then 31 overs, with the revised targets proving well beyond Namibia's reach. The bigger concern is the lack of intent and clarity in the chase, and Namibia will need to rethink their approach.

Clinic with the ball -  South Africa's bowlers were relentless from the outset, never allowing Namibia to settle. Kwena Maphaka stood out with his pace, attacking lengths and two wickets, while Prenelan Subrayen was exceptional, claiming four and hitting his lengths with remarkable consistency. The rest of the attack followed the same blueprint, keeping the pressure on and making sure the runs never came easily. A superbly coordinated bowling performance from the Proteas.

A stroll for South Africa - South Africa have made this look remarkably straightforward. The platform was laid by their batters with a total close to 350, and Namibia's cautious Powerplay 1 approach only strengthened the visitors' grip on the contest. The touring side will be pleased with the result, particularly as they are missing several familiar names. These are the kind of wins that give players outside the usual set-up a chance to make their mark and prove their value.

A single to end the game. South Africa win by 99 runs (DLS method) to go 1-0 up in the series. Subrayen spears it in very full, on middle. Trumpelmann gets his hands through the line of the ball and cracks it away to long off for one.

Wide! Floated up, beyond the tramline on off. Ruben lets it through.

No hat-trick! Yorker attempted by Prenelan but it comes out as a full toss, on middle. Bernard Scholtz gets behind the line and pats it away to long on for a single.

Bernard Scholtz walks in next.

OUT! CLEANED HIM UP! Two in two for Prenelan Subrayen. Prenelan pushes it through once again, very full, almost in the blockhole, on middle. Brassell takes a step or two down the track and cannot get his bat down in time to keep it out. Jack hears the death rattle and Prenelan is on a hat-trick now.

Jack Brassell is the number 9 batter. Three balls to go...

OUT! CAUGHT! JJ Smit holes out. Prenelan fires in a full ball, on middle. Smit tries to get under the ball and launch it downtown but fails to get any sort of elevation on the shot. Hits it flat and straight down the throat of long on, where Jason Smith gobbles it up.

FOUR! Scythed away. Fractionally short, outside off. Smit hangs back and makes use of the width on offer as he slams it wide of point for a boundary.

Flighted up, on off. Ruben powers the drive down to long on for a single.

The final over and Prenelan Subrayen will bowl it...

At pace, very full, on off. Ruben smashes it along the ground to long off for a single.

FOUR! Runs for the batter, moral victory for the bowler. A well-disguised slower one, on a back of a length, on off. Ruben Trumpelmann takes a step back in the crease and sets himself up for the pull. He is undone by the slowness of the ball and just hangs his bat out in the end. A top edge is found but the ball sails over the head of the keeper and the short third fielder stands no chance either.

Kwena goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a full toss, on off. Smit slices it off the outer half to deep point for a single.

Wide! Flirting with the tramline on off, on a back of a length. Smit flashes but fails to make any connection. Wide given and Kwena is not happy with the call.

A lot straighter now and fuller as well, on middle and leg. Trumpelmann gets the front leg out of the way and lofts it down to long on for one.

A big swing and a miss! Pushes it across the right-hander, on a back of a length. Trumpelmann leaves nothing in the tank and swings with all his might but can only connect with thin air.

Wide! Kwena goes searching for the yorker but drifts beyond the tramline outside off.

SIX! Ruben Trumpelmann gets in on the six-hitting act now. Kwena Maphaka bangs it into the deck but fails to get it high enough to trouble the tall batter. Ruben stays put and nails the pull well over the deep square leg fence.

Kwena Maphaka comes into the attack as well, to bowl the penultimate over of the match.

Nails a wide yorker, does Fortuin. JJ fails to reach out.

SIX! Clean as a whistle. Fired in by Fortuin, right in the slot, on middle. Smit clears the front leg and swings through the line as he wallops it over long on for half a dozen.