Rubin Hermann credits key partnership for Proteas second series win

In their second of the T20 tri-series that also involves New Zealand, Hermann recorded his maiden half century to end on 63 at the Harare Sports Club, and was unlucky to not see out the innings while the skipper was unbeaten on 52.

Hermann says they capitalised on a few gifts from the hosts, and the rest took care of itself.

"We were quite insync, it was quite nice because we both knew if we just batted we'd score quick enough. We are both just ruthless on the bat and so on, luckily we got a couple of them,” Herman said.

“So, just good batsmanship and then we just kept speaking on our options and just playing good cricket because then our aggressive nature will take care of the scoring by itself. 

“So, just sticking together for as long as possible and unfortunately, it was my job to finish the game, which I'm quite disappointed that I didn't but we'll get there. So, Rassie and I said, if we just bat we'll score quick enough and then runs will keep taking off and then we can finish it off at the end."

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South Africa came into the match on the back of a loss to the Black Caps in their second match, and Hermann says they had figured out the pitch by the time they faced Zimbabwe again. 

He says they had to be a bit more aggressive with the bat, especially after losing two early wickets.

Only three games into his T20 international career having made his debut exactly a week ago, he’s already aware of the intensity at this level of the game. 

Hermann noted the differences between playing domestic cricket and the international arena.

"Yeah I think the margins get smaller and smaller and smaller the higher you go, so it's just basically the ruthlessness of how you score. I think skillwise, your skill needs to become more refined, the more you plan your levels. 

“I'm looking forward to hopefully getting more games and deserving more games for my country because obviously nothing is given in this level. The intensity also is up and up and up, so you are rarely able to walk on the field in the international game, no matter who the opposition is because the intensity is very high and quite mentally training because you have to be switched on for 40 overs. 

“Like, every single ball because one small step up or mistake will cost you a wicket or cost runs in the field, so that's probably something I've found obviously there's three games in."