Lhuan-Dre Pretorius Edges Past IPL Teammate Yashasvi Jaiswal's T20I Legacy With Record Century

Lhuan dre Pretorius and Yashasvi Jaiswal- (Source: Cricket Namibia)

On Friday, September 4, South Africa scripted their first-ever T20I win over Namibia. 20-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius was the key contributor as the southpaw slammed a 52-ball century. It took Lhuan 17 innings to slam his maiden T20I ton, and he set a massive record after his heroic knock.

Notably, Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest player among full-member nations to score a T20I century. The southpaw set the record at the age of 20 years and 161 days.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters 7-Year-Old Record

Lhuan-dre Pretorius has shattered a 7-year-old record held by Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, etching this record into his name. Zazai was 20 years and 337 days old when he slammed a century against Ireland.

Notably, the elite list also features India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal, who also happens to be Pretorius' teammates at Rajasthan Royals. Here is the complete list. 

• 20y 161d - Lhuan-dre Pretorius vs NAM, 2026
• 20y 337d - Hazratullah Zazai vs IRE, 2019
• 21y 279d - Yashasvi Jaiswal vs NEP, 2023
• 21y 324d - Brian Bennett vs TAN, 2025
• 22y 5d - Tilak Varma vs SA, 2024
• 22y 7d - Tilak Varma vs SA, 2024
• 22y 31d - Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs UAE, 2023
• 22y 105d - Dewald Brevis vs AUS, 2025
• 22y 127d - Ahmed Shehzad vs BAN, 2014
• 22y 133d - Jacob Bethell vs IND, 2026

Overall, Lhuan-dre Pretorius is the 7th youngest cricketer to slam a T20I century. France’s Gustav McKeon is still the youngest to do so at the age of 18 years and 280 days, against Switzerland in 2022.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius Goes Past Dewald Brevis As He Pushes South Africa To Final

With 101 off 53 balls, Pretorius also shattered Dewald Brevis’ record as the youngest South African player to smash a century. The record lasted hardly a year as the CSK star etched his name in history when he smashed a century against Australia in August 2025.

Also Read: Lhuan-dre Pretorius Slams Maiden T20I Century As South Africa Break Namibia Curse

Pretorius’ century helped South Africa reach the ongoing Namibia tri-series final. The Proteas lost against Namibia in the opening match of the series, and they will now lock horns against Zimbabwe in the final on Sunday, September 6.

Overall, it has been a brilliant series for the youngster who has scored 226 runs in 4 innings. Pretorius played a brilliant 94-run knock in the last innings against Zimbabwe.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius T20I Career And IPL future With Rajasthan Royals

Lhuan-dre Pretorius made his T20I debut in July 2025 and has played 17 T20Is. The southpaw has amassed 427 runs, averaging just 25.11. The century has come at a very right time for the left-handed batter because he was slipping out of scheme of things.

The ton is also important for his IPL career. The 20-year-old represents Rajasthan Royals but featured in just 2 innings. The century has strengthened his place in the squad and might help him get a more important role for IPL 2027.

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