Aug 28 (Reuters) - Fast bowler ⁠Ruben Trumpelmann took 3-24, including the key wicket ⁠of Dewald Brevis, as hosts Namibia defeated a ‌depleted South Africa by 18 runs in Windhoek on Friday in their opening Twenty20 clash in a Tri-Series also involving Zimbabwe.

Namibia batted first ​and posted 163 for nine in ⁠their 20 overs, before ⁠restricting the visitors to 145 for nine in reply.

The result ⁠makes ‌it two wins from two for Namibia against their neighbours having won the first T20 ⁠clash between the sides last October, also in ​Windhoek.

Namibia’s innings ‌was anchored by a superb 60 from 38 balls ⁠by Jan ​Frylinck, who put on an opening stand of 84 with Louren Steenkamp (41 from 29 balls).

At one stage 200 looked on ⁠for the home side, but they ​managed only 40 runs from the final 35 balls of the innings as South Africa bowled well at the death.

Spinners ⁠Bjorn Fortuin (2-17) and Prenelan Subrayen (3-32) were the pick of South Africa's bowlers.

South Africa struggled from the start of their reply and when Brevis fell for a well-played 75 ​from 50 balls, which included five ⁠sixes, their chances of winning the game diminished.

South Africa, who ​have rested the majority of ‌their regular players, meet Zimbabwe in ​the second Tri-Series fixture at the same venue on Saturday.

(Reporting by Nick SaidEditing by Toby Davis)