Captain George van Heerden struck his maiden T20 century as Team SA thrashed hosts Ghana by 134 runs in their opening match of the African Games.

The 20-year-old plundered eight fours and seven sixes as he reached an unbeaten 107 off 57 balls to help Team SA amass 237-2 after winning the toss and opting to bat first at the Achimota Cricket Oval on Sunday.

Despite the early loss of opening batsman Maahir Joseph (eight), Van Heerden was aided superbly by Heinrigh Pieterse, who struck a blistering 62 off 34 balls (four fours and three sixes), and Lehan Botha, with a pulsating 46 off 25 balls (five fours, three sixes).

Jesse Prodehl (2-10) and Jason Raubenheimer (2-23) picked up two wickets apiece to restrict the hosts to 103-7 in the chase.

All-rounder Botha (1-19) got the first breakthrough when he had Richmond Baaleri (nine) caught behind in the fifth over.

James Vifah top-scored with a quickfire 25-ball 41 (six fours, one six) before he was bowled by Raubenheimer. A run-out accounted for Rexford Bakum (one) to leave the hosts on 68-3 at the halfway stage.

Prodehl then bagged two wickets in as many overs – first he trapped opposing skipper Obed Harvey lbw for eight, before he held on to one off his bowling to remove Devender Singh (nine) and leave Ghana reeling on 74-5 within 13 overs.

Pieterse (1-11) then got in on the act with the wicket of Micheal Aboagye (five), while Raubenheimer claimed his second of the innings after he had Joseph Theodore caught for one.

Kelvin Awala (13*) and Godfred Bakiweyem (nine not out) remained unbeaten as the hosts fell well short of the 238-run target.

Team SA face Kenya next on Monday at the same venue.

“I’m ecstatic about the result,” said Van Heerden. “Yes, I am happy about scoring a century but I was well supported throughout my knock by the other batsmen and to only lose two wickets was absolutely brilliant.

“The bowlers backed it up nicely. During the innings break, we spoke about not resting on our laurels and to make sure that we set our own standards and show some fight.

“We always knew it was going to be tough coming up against the hosts in our opening match. It is extremely hot here – they say it’s 33 degrees but it feels like 50.

“We had a good training week but batting for long periods was tough today and we felt it in the field, but the boys are getting used to the conditions.”

Photo: Roger Sedres/Team SA