South Africa Break Own Record, Register Their Highest Score In Men’s U-19 World Cup

South Africa scored a record 397/5 against Tanzania in the 2026 ICC Men's U-19 Cricket World Cup, led by Muhammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles centuries at High Performance Oval.

South Africa achieved a monumental score of 397/5 against Tanzania, setting a new record for the highest team total in the 2026 ICC Men’s U-19 Cricket World Cup at the High Performance Oval on Monday. This is also South Africa’s highest total in the history of their participation in the tournament.

The team’s massive score was driven by centuries from captain Muhammad Bulbulia and Jason Rowles. The 397/5 surpassed South Africa’s previous U-19 World Cup record of 359/6 against Namibia in 2012 and also surpassed Sri Lanka’s 391 against Japan earlier in this edition of the competition.

It now stands as the eighth highest overall score since the tournament began. Bulbulia scored 108 runs off 108 balls, while Rowles remained unbeaten on 125 from 101 balls, with his innings featuring ten fours and five sixes. Together, they formed a 201-run third-wicket partnership that left the Tanzanian bowlers struggling.

South Africa’s openers set the stage for the high total with Jorich van Schalkwyk’s quick 47 off 34 balls and his partner Mogamat Lagadien adding 32 runs before Bulbulia and Rowles took charge of the innings.

Even after Bulbulia was dismissed shortly after reaching his century, which included ten fours and a six, South Africa maintained their aggressive approach. Paul James added a late flurry with 46 runs off just 18 balls, hitting two fours and five sixes as the Proteas just missed the 400-run mark by three runs.

This impressive display comes after South Africa’s 28-run defeat to Afghanistan in their tournament opener. Tanzania now faces the challenging task of chasing down the target, in what appears to be a one-sided contest. South Africa’s next match will be against the West Indies in their final Group D game at the same venue on January 22.

(With Agency Inputs)

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