After big performances earlier in the series, Hermann and Esterhuizen teamed up again to help South Africa cruise to another win.
Windhoek, Namibia (14 September 2026) – Jordan Hermann and Connor Esterhuizen are making a pretty good habit of putting on a show together.
The young Proteas pair combined for another big opening partnership on Sunday as South Africa wrapped up their ODI series against Namibia with a nine-wicket win in Windhoek.
After the bowlers restricted Namibia to 156, Hermann and Esterhuizen walked out and made the chase look almost effortless, putting on 145 for the first wicket.
Hermann eventually fell for 75 off 56 balls, but Esterhuizen stayed there until the job was almost done, finishing unbeaten on 68 from 68 deliveries.
Then Dewald Brevis arrived, took one look at what was required and smacked six off just two balls to seal the deal. And just like that, the Proteas had completed a 3-0 series sweep.
But while the result was another win for South Africa, the bigger story from Windhoek has been the emergence of some fresh faces.
View this post on Instagram
Could the Olympics Be Coming to South Africa? Durban Gets the Nod
Pedalling with Heart: Nicky and Team Ride 1,600km to Help Children Access Therapy
Hermann has certainly made an entrance to ODI cricket. On debut in the opening match, the youngster smashed 150, equalling the record for the highest score by a South African on men’s ODI debut.
Esterhuizen wasn’t about to let him have all the fun. In the second ODI, he followed up with his maiden international century, hitting 119 as South Africa posted 335-9.
The two then combined again in the final match, showing plenty of confidence and composure as they put together their second big opening stand of the series.
It has been quite the introduction for a group of less experienced Proteas players, who have been given a chance to make their mark while several established internationals were rested.
The bowlers also played their part in the final match, keeping Namibia under pressure before eventually bowling the hosts out for 156.
Now, the mood changes completely. The next assignment is a three-match ODI series against Australia, and the Proteas squad will look very different.
Only six players from the Namibia group will move on to face the Australians, with Duan Jansen joining Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Bjorn Fortuin and Kwena Maphaka.
So, after a week in which the new kids have had plenty of fun in Windhoek, some of the familiar faces are about to return.
And judging by what Hermann and Esterhuizen have produced so far, the youngsters have certainly given the selectors something to think about.
View this post on Instagram
by 
