Dewald Brevis clubbed a breezy 41 as the Proteas eased to a five-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in their Tri-Series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Monday afternoon.
Brevis faced only 17 balls and smashed five sixes and a four, while Ruben Hermann added 45 runs on debut as the Proteas reached their target of 142 with 25 balls to spare.
The Proteas innings got off to a shaky start with Lhuan-dre Pretorius sent packing by Richard Ngavara, caught and bowled with the first legitimate ball of the innings. Pretorius was playing his T20I debut.
Left-arm medium pacer Ngavara was on the money again in his second over when he had Reeza Hendricks chop a delivery onto his middle stump for 17.
Trevor Gwandu caused more damage and further wobbled the Proteas in the run chase in the fifth over when he got big fish Rassie van der Dussen for 16, leaving the Proteas on 38/3.