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South Africa Smashes U19 World Cup Record with Mammoth 397 Against Tanzania

South Africa posted a dominant 397 for 5 against Tanzania, setting the highest team total of the 2026 ICC Men's U19 Cricket World Cup. The innings was powered by centuries from captain Muhammad Bulbulia (108) and Jason Rowles, who remained unbeaten on 125. Their 201-run partnership formed the core of a record-breaking performance that surpassed South Africa's previous best in the tournament. This commanding display comes after an opening loss to Afghanistan and sets up a crucial final Group D match against the West Indies.

Key Points: South Africa Posts Record 397 in U19 Cricket World Cup

  • Record team total for 2026 U19 World Cup
  • Centuries from captain Bulbulia and Jason Rowles
  • 201-run third-wicket partnership
  • South Africa's best U19 WC total ever
  • Sets up crucial final group game vs West Indies
2 min read

South Africa posts highest score of 2026 U19 Men's World Cup against Tanzania

South Africa sets a new tournament-high score of 397/5 against Tanzania in the 2026 U19 Men's Cricket World Cup, powered by centuries from Bulbulia and Rowles.

"South Africa smashed their way to posting a mammoth 397/5 - Match Report"

Windhoek, Jan 19

South Africa smashed their way to posting a mammoth 397/5 against Tanzania, which is now the highest score by a team in the 2026 ICC Men's U-19 Cricket World Cup at the High Performance Oval on Monday. It's also South Africa's best total in their history of participating in the tournament.

South Africa were powered to the gigantic score by centuries from captain Muhammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles. The score of 397/5 also surpassed South Africa's previous U-19 World Cup record of 359/6 against Namibia in 2012 and eclipsed Sri Lanka's 391 against Japan made earlier in this edition of the competition.

It stands as the eighth highest score overall since the tournament's inception. Bulbulia scored a run-a-ball 108 while Rowles remained unbeaten on 125 off 101 balls, a knock laced with ten fours and five sixes, as the pair put together a 201-run third-wicket partnership that left the Tanzanian bowling attack dazed.

South Africa's openers laid the foundation for the huge total with Jorich van Schalkwyk's quick-fire 47 off 34 balls and his opening partner Mogamat Lagadien contributing 32 before Bulbulia and Rowles seized control of the innings.

Even after Bulbulia's dismissal shortly after reaching his century laced with ten fours and a six, South Africa maintained their aggressive approach. Paul James smashed 46 runs off just 18 deliveries in a late cameo studded with two fours and five sixes as the Proteas fell just three runs short of the 400-run mark.

The commanding performance comes after South Africa suffered a tournament opening 28-run defeat to Afghanistan. Tanzania now faces the daunting task of chasing down the target in what shapes as a one-sided contest. South Africa will next face West Indies in their final Group D game at the same venue on January 22.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Bulbulia and Rowles played brilliantly! A 201-run partnership is just domination. 😲 But honestly, matches like these can be a bit boring for neutrals. ICC should maybe think about the format to ensure more competitive games in the group stage.
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Rohit P
Great to see such explosive batting from the youngsters! Paul James scoring 46 off 18 at the end... that's some serious firepower. South Africa is a strong team, but our Indian colts are the ones to beat! 🇮🇳 Can't wait for our next match.
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Aman W
Respect to Tanzania for being there. It's a huge learning curve. The focus should be on growing the game in newer nations, not just the scoreline. Hope they take back some positives despite the hammering.
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Sarah B
That's an incredible turnaround after losing to Afghanistan. Shows real character. The match against West Indies will be a cracker now. Both teams will be fighting for top spot in the group.
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Karthik V
Eighth highest score in tournament history! That's some achievement. But let's be real, the bowling attack they faced was not top level. The real test will be against India, Pakistan, or Australia. Still, a confidence booster for the Proteas.

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