South Africa and Namibia are set to begin their campaigns in the T20I tri-series when they face each other in the opening game at the Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek on Friday, August 28. Zimbabwe are the third team in the competition, with the three sides scheduled to play each other twice before the top two meet in the final on September 6.

The Proteas will enter the contest with a relatively inexperienced squad, as several senior players have been rested ahead of a busy international season. Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin will lead the side, while the squad features exciting young bowlers such as Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena and Lutho Sipamla.

Namibia, meanwhile, will be confident of challenging their more fancied neighbours on home soil. The hosts have named an experienced squad featuring established campaigners such as Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz, Jan-Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Gerhard Erasmus. Namibia have also won five of their seven T20Is since the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Here are the top three bowlers to watch out for in the 1st T20I between South Africa and Namibia:

1. Kwena Maphaka – South Africa

Kwena Maphaka will be one of the biggest attractions in South Africa’s bowling attack.

The left-arm fast bowler has already gained considerable international and franchise experience despite being only 20 years old. Maphaka has represented South Africa across formats and also featured in the IPL, giving him valuable exposure to high-pressure T20 cricket.

His pace and ability to generate bounce make him particularly dangerous in the powerplay. Against Namibia, Maphaka could be used to attack the experienced opening combination and prevent the hosts from making a fast start.

He also has recent T20I experience. During South Africa’s 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Maphaka claimed two wickets against Zimbabwe, conceding just 21 runs from his four overs. He also picked up a wicket against India during the tournament. 

The Windhoek conditions could offer Maphaka enough assistance to make life uncomfortable for Namibia’s batters. Ruben Trumpelmann’s performance against South Africa in their previous T20I meeting showed the value of left-arm pace at this venue, and Maphaka will hope to produce a similar impact.

With South Africa looking to build their next generation of T20 players, this could be another important opportunity for Maphaka to establish himself as a regular international match-winner.

2. Ruben Trumpelmann – Namibia

Ruben Trumpelmann will be Namibia’s biggest pace threat and has already demonstrated his ability to trouble South Africa.

The left-arm seamer was one of the stars when these two teams last met in a T20I in Windhoek in October 2025. Trumpelmann claimed three wickets in that encounter as Namibia secured a memorable victory over the Proteas. 

His ability to swing the new ball back into right-handed batters makes him particularly dangerous during the powerplay. South Africa are likely to field an inexperienced top order, with Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Tony de Zorzi and Dewald Brevis expected to shoulder significant responsibility.

Trumpelmann could therefore look to exploit any uncertainty early in the innings.

The 27-year-old also brings substantial international experience to a Namibia bowling unit that otherwise contains several younger options. He is among the players in the squad with more than 100 international appearances across formats. 

His performance could be crucial if Namibia are to repeat their 2025 success. If Trumpelmann manages to pick up an early wicket or two, the pressure will immediately shift onto South Africa’s inexperienced middle order.

3. Bernard Scholtz – Namibia

Bernard Scholtz completes the list and could be especially important if the Windhoek surface offers assistance to spin.

The left-arm orthodox spinner has been one of Namibia’s most dependable bowlers over the years and is another member of their squad with more than 100 international appearances. 

Scholtz also played an important role in Namibia’s previous T20I victory over South Africa. Alongside Trumpelmann, he helped create early pressure on the Proteas before Namibia chased down the target successfully.

His challenge this time will be to contain South Africa’s aggressive young batters during the middle overs. Dewald Brevis, in particular, is capable of attacking spin and changing the complexion of a T20 innings within a few deliveries.

Scholtz’s experience could prove invaluable in such a situation. Rather than simply defending runs, he will be expected to use changes in pace and trajectory to force mistakes from South Africa’s batters.

Namibia also have Jan-Nicol Loftie-Eaton and Gerhard Erasmus as additional spin options, meaning Scholtz will not necessarily have to shoulder the entire burden in the middle overs. However, his ability to take wickets while maintaining pressure makes him one of Namibia’s most important bowlers.