Winning matters more than milestones for Hermann

Rassie van der Dussen wasn't bothered when Rubin Hermann forgot his name during a post-match interview.

Hermann was talking about his international debut in the first match of the Zimbabwe-South Africa-New Zealand T20I Tri-series. He scored 45 runs off 37 balls, helping South Africa beat Zimbabwe.

"I knew coming in, the partnership that myself and… I forgot who was batting with me. I can't remember, it's such a blur. But I knew that partnership was the most important one of the game."

The stand with Van der Dussen, the captain, only yielded 21 runs, but it came after Zimbabwe had reduced South Africa to 17/2.

"If we lost another wicket then, things could have gotten nasty," Hermann said. "It was a question of absorbing the pressure. We had to rebuild and set up the game for the latter half. Then it was about carrying the momentum. Brevie came in and played a great knock in his own right, taking the game by the scruff of the neck."

Hermann and Brevis shared 72 runs off 37 balls.

Hermann, a middle order specialist, fulfilled a similar role for Paarl Royals in this year's SA20.

"I really do enjoy the pressure situations and I was glad I could do it again today. I try to stay as clear as possible, because I know if I give myself a chance I'll catch up with my strike rates in any game."

He wasn't bothered about missing out on a half-century by five runs.

"Personal achievements are not a focus of mine. I was more irritated that I left 12 runs on the table. Anyone would have taken [50], but I want to be a guy who wins games for South Africa and I should have been at the end."