From underdogs to giant-killers: Namibia beat their fourth ICC full member in T20Is

Namibia created new history on Saturday (October 11), when Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek hosted the historic first-ever Namibia vs South Africa T20I, and the hosts Namibia stunned everyone by beating the Proteas on a final-ball thriller. 

Namibia beat South Africa by four wickets

After South Africa chose to bat first in the only T20I, they scored 134/8 in 20 overs. In reply, Namibia chased down the target with a four on the final ball of the match, where the hosts needed only one run to win, and won by four wickets, having lost six wickets in their successful 20-over chase. 

It was Namibia's first international cricket meeting against South Africa, which was a successful outing for them, as they created a new history in their international cricket record book. South Africa became the fourth ICC Full member to suffer a T20I or international cricket defeat against Namibia. 

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ICC Full members who suffered a T20I defeat against Namibia (Updated as of 11 October 2025)

• vs Zimbabwe: 8 wins and 7 losses
• vs Ireland: 1 win and 1 loss
• vs Sri Lanka: 1 win and 1 loss
• vs South Africa: 1 win

Ireland were the first ICC Full member to suffer a T20I or international cricket defeat when Namibia beat them in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021.

Zimbabwe suffered their first T20I defeat against Namibia in May 2022, where the away side Namibia won the five-match T20I series by 3-2. Later, they won four times against the Chevrons in 2023 and once last September.

During the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 first round, Namibia beat Sri Lanka. 

For the first time, South Africa and Namibia met each other in international cricket on 11 October 2025, where the hosts Namibia beat South Africa on the final ball thriller.