Wiaan Mulder said West Indies batting great Brian Lara had told him he should have tried to break his record for the highest individual score in a test match after the South African allrounder stopped 34 runs shy of setting a new mark on Monday.

Mulder was on 367 when he declared South Africa's innings at lunch on the second day of the second test against Zimbabwe, turning down the chance to go for Lara's record of 400 not out registered against England in Antigua 21 years ago.

Mulder said he felt he had no right to dislodge a legend like Lara, who had set the record against a much stronger opponent.

"Now that things have settled a little bit, I've chatted a little bit to Brian Lara," Mulder told SuperSport.

"He said to me, I'm creating my own legacy and I should have gone for it. He said records are there to be broken and he wishes that if I'm ever in that position again, I actually go and score more than what he had."

Mulder, who has hit three centuries in 21 tests, said he has no regrets about his decision in Bulawayo.

"That was an interesting point of view from his side, but I still believe I did the right thing and respecting the game is the most important part for me," he added.

Wiaan Mulder is among the least likely professional cricketers to intentionally divide world opinion but his extraordinary innings of 367* - and the lunchtime declaration within 33 runs of equalling West Indian great Brian Lara’s world record – continues to do exactly that. And it may well do so for the rest of his life.

Mulder’s innings came from just 334 balls and contained a remarkable 49 fours and four sixes in a total of 626-5 against a modest Zimbabwe bowling attack on a flat pitch at Queen’s Sports Club in Bulawayo. There are many sceptics who believe those factors alone made the record ‘undeserving.’ Equally, there are many who say ‘so what?’

An unforgettable series for Wiaan Mulder. A truly exceptional batting display, amassing 531 runs across the two Tests 🔥💪🇿🇦

His dominant form not only earned him the Player of the Match honour in the second Test, but also the richly deserved Player of the Series award 🤝🏏.… pic.twitter.com/iXlxVJXUxL

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 8, 2025

Mulder shot past Hashim Amla’s national record score of 311* without even noticing (“When I looked at the scoreboard I thought ‘how did that happen’?”) and continued to score at a furious rate in the final half hour of the session, passing Sir Gary Sobers’ at 365 before reaching fifth place on the all-time list behind Lara (400 and 375), Matthew Hayden (380) and Mahela Jayawardene (374).

The declaration was not immediate at the interval and Mulder’s comments confirmed that it was not (entirely) his decision. “I spoke to (coach) Shukri (Conrad) and he said that maybe the greats of the game deserved to be respected, but the main thing was winning the test match.”

Amla’s marathon at The Oval against a high-quality England attack in 2008 was the first, and only, triple-century by a South African before his. Did Mulder have any qualms about smashing that record?

“A little bit…he’s a Hall-of-Famer so it was truly special top go past his record. I do believe that the legends deserve to keep the accolades and hold the records, and I am by no means in that category, but I guess it was my destiny so I’ll take it as it comes,” Mulder said afterwards.

“The main thing is winning the test match and I thought we were in a good position to do that without having to bat any longer. And also, respecting the game is important and letting Brian Lara, one of the greatest to play the game, keep his record was doing that.

Captaincy debut. Triple century. Three wickets. Innings win. Wiaan Mulder’s had himself a game ⭐ pic.twitter.com/AUsvwSGYvR

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 8, 2025

There is a significant disparity in the esteem in which Mulder’s regards the milestone records. He also intimated that the decision to ‘respect’ Lara’s sanctimony at the top of the list may not have been as straightforward as is now perceived.

“Scoring 400 runs would be amazing because test runs don’t come easy. So, there’s a lot in any test batter who would want to get as many as they can when you feel like you’re playing well. But legends of the game deserve certain accolades and his 401, or whatever the exact number was, is important. He inspired many people to play the game and deserves to keep that record,” Mulder said. For a man so respectful of records, it sounded odd that he wasn’t sure what Lara’s was.

“Mulder would have been well within his rights to go for Lara’s record. Matthew Hayden had no issues with hammering Zimbabwe for 380, breaking Lara’s first record back in 2003, so why should Mulder have felt squeamish?” said Lawrence Booth, the long-serving editor of the game’s ultimate keeper of records, the Wisden Almanack.

“Zimbabwe is an ICC full member nation, and this is a test match. Cricket’s ‘morality police’ should always be ignored in moments like this,” Booth said.

“Records exist to be broken, not genuflected to. When Mulder is old and grey, he may look back and wonder why he spurned a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. South African test cricket needs all the help it can get. Imagine being World test champions AND possessing the test record-holder, all in the space of a few weeks,” said Booth.

‘Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity’ probably doesn’t do it justice. The vast majority of the best batters in the world never come close to such a chance. But maybe, instead of regret, Mulder may live out the rest of his days in happy contentment at the lack of vitriole about pick-pocketing one of the game’s crown jewels against a weak bowling attack in one of the game’s quieter backwaters. The debate will be had for as long as most of us are alive. And beyond.

The Proteas ran through the rest of the Zimbabwe batting order in the post-lunch session on day three to power their way to a thumping innings and 236-run win in the second test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

The result secured a 2-0 series sweep over the hosts, after the visitors triumphed by 328 runs in the opening test last week, and followed that up with an even bigger win in the second.

The result was built around the record-breaking exploits of captain Wiaan Mulder, leading the Proteas for the first time in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj.

Mulder slammed the highest score of a South African and fifth highest in test cricket history, finishing unbeaten on 367 in helping his side amass a monstrous 626/5 batting first, while Zimbabwe could only respond with 170 all out and 220 all out to fall well short in the end.

“It was super special, it’s something I had dreamt of as a kid, to captain your country is one of the biggest honours you can get as a cricketer. So it was a super proud moment for me and my family and I am glad I could make the guys proud,” said Mulder in the post-match interview.

🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨

A complete performance from start to finish. Absolute dominance from Day 1 to Day 3 💪🔥🇿🇦

The Proteas men wrap up the second Test in style and seal a commanding 2-0 series victory! 🏏👏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/KTcON3LtcR

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 8, 2025

“I think a lot of guys put up their hands (over the two test series). Everybody really contributed in their own ways and that is promising for South African cricket (going forward), and I am excited to see how they go.”

After a fighting morning session had seen Zimbabwe reach lunch on 143/3, they started the afternoon session hoping to continue their quest to take the game into a fourth day.

However those hopes were soon dashed, as they lost their last seven wickets for 77 runs, with Corbin Bosch, 4/38, Senuran Muthusamy, 3/77, and Codi Yusuf, 2/38, the key wicket takers.

Nick Welch (55) and Craig Ervine (49) were only able to add 10 to the post lunch score, extending their fourth wicket partnership to 50 runs, before Welch was the first wicket of the session, thanks to a superb delivery from Muthusamy that gripped, turned and took the edge to Mulder at slip.

Senuran Muthusamy takes the last wicket for OSouth Africa 🇿🇦

The Proteas win by an innings and 236 runs 👏#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/LOVN4fzAl1

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 8, 2025

That started the slide, with Yusuf getting in on the action as he trapped Wesley Madhevere (5) plum in front, before having Tafadzwa Tsiga (1) chipping to Lesego Senokwane at short midwicket, as they stumbled to 177/6.

It was then the Bosch show as he had Ervine edging behind to keeper Kyle Verreynne just one run short of a half century, bowled Kundai Matigimu for his second duck of the match, and had Blessing Muzarabani edging to Senokwane at third slip for an 11-ball duck, as they crashed to 184/9.

Last man Tanaka Chivanga (22) and Wellington Masakadza (17no) staged a final wicket stand of 36 runs, before Muthusamy had Chivanga fittingly top edging to man of the moment Mulder at short leg to end the innings and match.

In the morning Zimbabwe resumed their follow-on innings on 51/1, getting off to a poor start as opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano (40) and Welch could only add 13 to the score, extending their second wicket partnership to 33 runs, before Kaitano popped an easy catch to Dewald Brevis at cover off Muthusamy.

That brough first innings star Sean Williams (11) to the crease and they initially stalled the visitors with a 39-run third wicket partnership, taking them past 100, although Welch was lucky to be dropped on 25 by David Bedingham off Muthusamy.

Mulder then got the breakthrough, knocking Williams off stump out of the ground, as Zimbabwe slipped to 103/3.

That brought Ervine in, and along with Welch they took their side safely to lunch with an unbeaten 40-run stand, which included Welch bringing up his fifty just before the break.

Earlier in the match Mulder was the chief contributor for the Proteas, backed up by Bedingham (82) and Lhuan-dre Pretorius (78) as the cruised to a mammoth total, with the captain then selflessly declaring at lunch on day two.

Zimbabwe was then blown away in their first innings, with Williams unbeaten counter-attacking 83 off 55 balls saving their blushes to an extent, while debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen, 4/42, was the pick of the bowlers, backed up by Mulder, 2/20, and Yusuf, 2/20.

---

ZIMBABWE: Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicolas Welch, Sean Williams.

SOUTH AFRICA: Lesego Senokwane, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Prenelan Subrayen

South African captain Wiaan Mulder said respect for Brian Lara convinced him to declare 33 runs short of the former West Indies star's world test record, against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club on Monday.

Mulder hammered an unbeaten 367 –- a South African record and the fifth highest score in test cricket –- before declaring at lunch on the second day of the second test.

South Africa's total of 626 for five proved way beyond Zimbabwe's reach. They were bowled out for 170 and were 51 for one in their second innings after being forced to follow on.

"Brian Lara is a legend. He got 401 or whatever it was (it was 400) against England. For someone of that stature to keep the record is pretty special," Mulder said at the close.

"I think if I get the chance again I would do the same again."

Mulder spoke to South African coach Shukri Conrad who agreed with his decision.

"He said to me as well, let the legend keep the record. I never know what my fate will be but letting Brian Lara keep the record is the way it should be."

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 🤩

Wiaan Mulder enters the history books with a stunning 367* against Zimbabwe 👏#ZIMvSA | ✍️: https://t.co/EvFis53jyH pic.twitter.com/uSpsmGXlFO

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

Mulder took two wickets and held a catch at slip as Zimbabwe crumbled in reply.

Sean Williams, who was only allowed to bat after five wickets had fallen because of time spent off the field because of illness, slammed 83 not out off 55 balls in Zimbabwe's only innings of substance.

Resuming on 264 not out, Mulder became the second South African triple centurion, reaching the mark off 297 balls -– the second-fastest behind India's Virender Sehwag, who took 278 deliveries against South Africa in Chennai in 2007/08.

Mulder went past the previous highest South African individual score of 311 not out by Hashim Amla against England at The Oval in London in 2012 with successive boundaries off fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani.

Mulder faced 334 balls and hit 49 fours and four sixes off an increasingly dispirited and largely toothless Zimbabwe bowling attack.

A historic triple ton by Wiaan Mulder 💫#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/NvsP4tB2XC

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

"I've never even dreamed of getting a double hundred, let alone a triple hundred," said Mulder.

"When I started playing for South Africa I was nowhere near good enough but it gave me the opportunity to learn from great players."

'KEEPING MYSELF NATURAL'

Mulder said playing English county cricket for Leicestershire as well as batting in domestic cricket on the notoriously tricky Wanderers pitch in Johannesburg had helped him hone his game.

"Going to England gave me a chance to understand what kind of batter I wanted to be and to figure out some technical things."

He also said current Zimbabwe coach Justin Sammons had played a big role while he was coaching in South Africa, particularly in playing the short ball.

Like former England captain Mike Brearley, Mulder said he sung to himself between balls, "keeping myself natural, keeping myself present."

Whereas Brearley hummed classical music, Mulder said Afrikaans music helped him reach his first test century in Bangladesh last year, while in Bulawayo he opted for Zombie by the Cranberries.

Zombie was sung by Irish rugby supporters at the 2023 Rugby World Cup and adapted by South African rugby fans after the Springboks won the World Cup in a homage to coach Rassie Erasmus and was used for Conrad at the World Test Championship final won by South Africa against Australia last month.

"It was sung at Lord's to Shuks," said Mulder.

It was captain Wiaan Mulder’s day as he notched up the fifth highest score in test cricket history, before picking up two wickets, as the Proteas set themselves up for a monstrous innings win over Zimbabwe in the second test at the end of day two at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday.

Mulder’s unbeaten 367, put the Proteas on 626-5 when they declared at lunch, with Zimbabwe then skittled for 170 in their first innings during the final session of play, before being forced to follow on and reached the close on 51-1 in their second, still a mammoth 405 runs shy of making the visitors bat again.

It will be a point of discussion for a long time, but Mulder selflessly decided to declare with plenty of time available for him to break Brian Lara’s test record of 400 not out, which he set against England in 2004, but he explained after the days play that he had no regrets on making that call.

THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE FOR SOUTH AFRICA IN A TEST CRICKET 🏏#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/SCpHV7CYh3

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 7, 2025

“It’s pretty special (scoring 300). To be honest I never even dreamt of getting a double hundred never mind a triple hundred, but it’s super special and the most important thing is it put the team in a good position to hopefully win the test,” said Mulder.

“First I thought we have enough and we need to bowl. Secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, he got 400 against England and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special. I think if I get the chance again I’d probably do the same thing.

“I was speaking to Shuks (Proteas coach Shukri Conrad) and he kind of said to me as well: ‘let the legends keep the really big scores’, and you never know what my fate is or what is destined for me. But Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”

"Let the legends keep the really big scores." ❤️

🇿🇦 Wiaan Mulder speaks to Shaun Pollock after his historic knock 👏#ZIMvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/VqySlzOzHY

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 7, 2025

After tea the hosts resumed their first innings on 88-6, and they only reached a poor 170 all out due to a stunning unbeaten counter-attacking 83 off 55 balls from Sean Williams.

Williams was man alone as he cracked seven fours and two sixes, while the final four wickets fell around him, all claimed by debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen, who finished with top figures of 4-42 in 10 overs.

He had Wellington Masakadza (3) caught by Mulder, bowled Kundai Matigimu for a duck, and gave some fielding practice to sub fielder Kwena Maphaka who caught Blessing Muzarabani (5) and Tanaka Chivanga (10) to end the innings.

Zimbabwe then looked more composed in their second innings as only opener Dion Meyers (11) fell, bowled by Corbin Bosch, but they still reach the end of play staring down the barrel of a huge innings defeat, likely on Tuesday’s day three.

Stumps on Day 2 🚨

A phenomenal day of Test cricket for the Proteas men; records shattered with the bat, 11 wickets claimed with the ball, and a follow-on enforced in dominant fashion! 💪🔥

Zimbabwe closed the day on 51/1 after 16 overs, still trailing by 405 runs 🏏

South… pic.twitter.com/GjQ1L1D5LS

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 7, 2025

In the post lunch session the Proteas absolutely hammered home their advantage after their record breaking batting performance led by Mulder.

All the bowlers got among the wickets with Mulder and Codi Yusuf, both 2-20, Bosch, 1-27, and Senuran Muthusamy, 1-59, getting in on the action.

Zimbabwe’s first innings got off to a disastrous start as the first ball from Yusuf superbly faded away from opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano, as he feathered an edge to keeper Kyle Verreynne, to fall for a golden duck.

In the next over Bosch bowled a similar delivery, this one catching the edge of opener Meyers's (1) bat, through to Verreynne and the hosts were in early strife on 4-2.

It didn’t get any better for the home side as Nick Welch (10), inside edged onto his own pad to be caught by sub fielder Zubayr Hamza off Yusuf, before Mulder got in on the action, having Craig Ervine (17) caught by Yusuf at backward point, and had Wesley Madhevere (25) chopping on, with Zimbabwe slipping to 56-5.

In the penultimate over to tea Muthusamy, on his return to the test side after nine months, removed Tafadzwa Tsiga (12) as he tried to pull a short ball but ended up top edging to Dewald Brevis at short cover, as they crashed to 82-6.

MULDER SMASHES RECORDS

In the morning session Mulder continued to break a slew of records as he became just the second South African to score a test triple century.

Other records Mulder passed, included him becoming South Africa’s record individual run scorer in a test, passing Hashim Amla’s unbeaten 311 against England in 2012, while he now holds the fifth highest score in test match history.

Only Lara, twice (400 and 375), Matthew Hayden (380) and Mahela Jayawardena (374) have scored more in a test.

Earlier he had become the 29th player to score a test triple century, and 33rd score of over 300 in total, with Lara, Don Bradman, Chris Gayle and Virender Sehwag having all scored two.

A historic triple ton by Wiaan Mulder 💫#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/NvsP4tB2XC

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

In the game it was another fantastic session for the Proteas, as they scored 161 runs in 26 overs at a run rate of over six runs to the over, while losing just one wicket.

The visitors resumed play in the morning on 465-4, with Mulder and Brevis (30) swiftly taking them past 500.

Brevis then became the only wicket of the session, throwing his hands at a widish delivery from Matigimu, only to end up feathering an edge to sub keeper Clive Madande with the score 513-5.

That brought Verreynne (42*) in and along with Mulder they powered on with an unbeaten 113-run stand to take them confidently to lunch.

But along the way Mulder continued to bring up milestones, first becoming South Africa’s second triple centurion and first as captain, in the 100th over of the match, flicking a single to fine leg off Chivanga to get there off 297 balls.

He then proceeded to dominate the rest of play, slamming boundaries almost at will as he cruised past Amla’s record, over 350 and into the lunch break with his team well on top.

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ZIMBABWE: Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicolas Welch, Sean Williams.

SOUTH AFRICA: Lesego Senokwane, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Prenelan Subrayen

Wiaan Mulder, who stopped short on Monday of attempting to break the record for the highest score in test history, had an inauspicious start to his test career.

Mulder made 367 not out for South Africa in the second test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club before deciding – in his first match as captain – to declare South Africa's innings on 626 for five at lunch on the second day.

He was just 33 runs short of Brian Lara's record of 400 not out for West Indies against England in 2003/04.

THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORE FOR SOUTH AFRICA IN A TEST CRICKET 🏏#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/SCpHV7CYh3

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) July 7, 2025

Given the rate at which he scored his runs, off 334 balls, Mulder might not have needed much more than half an hour to climb to test cricket's batting pinnacle.

He raced past Hashim Amla's previous best for South Africa –- 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012 –- and climbed to fifth on the world list before his declaration.

Mulder, 27, made his test debut in February 2019 but did not score his first half-century until his 25th innings in his 15th match -– 54 against Bangladesh in Mirpur last October.

Before that he had scored a total of 401 runs – one more than Lara's single-innings record – at an average of 17.43.

Picked as an allrounder, his bowling figures at that point were better than his returns with the bat, although they were not outstanding –- 25 wickets at an average of 25.00.

He was not a guaranteed first-choice player for a South African team in search of a quality allrounder until head coach Shukri Conrad, appointed in January 2023, gave him his unequivocal backing.

The tide turned for Mulder after the half-century in Mirpur. He made 105 not out in his next innings in the second test against Bangladesh in Chattogram.

BATTING PROMOTION

Having mainly batted low in the order –- his first century was made at No 7 – Conrad chose him to fill the crucial No 3 batting position in the test side.

He was out for five in his first innings at No 3, against Pakistan in Cape Town in January, and struggled to six off 44 balls in the first innings of the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord's in England last month.

But Mulder won praise for an enterprising 27 in the second innings as he and Aiden Markram laid a foundation for South Africa's successful chase of a challenging target of 282.

Run out for 17 in the first innings of the first test against Zimbabwe, he made a stylish 147 in the second innings, which proved a mere prelude to his effort in the second test.

Mulder grew up in a mining area west of Johannesburg and won a scholarship to St Stithians College, one of South Africa's leading private schools and the alma mater of Kagiso Rabada and, more recently, Ryan Rickelton and teenage prodigies Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka.

An outstanding schoolboy cricketer, Mulder captained South African Schools and South Africa Under-19s.

He made his first-class debut for the Gauteng Lions at 18, taking seven wickets in an innings in his second match and making his maiden century a week later.

But the ascent to test cricket's loftier heights took a little longer.

On Monday he went past Len Hutton (364) and Garry Sobers (365 not out) -– two all-time greats who both held the record for the highest score for many years.

A historic triple ton by Wiaan Mulder 💫#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/NvsP4tB2XC

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

Now, only Lara (twice), Matthew Hayden and Mahela Jayawardene have scored more runs in a test innings.

Mulder is in exalted company -– but given the poor quality of Zimbabwe's bowling attack there are doubtless many statisticians and test cricket traditionalists who are grateful that he did not take the final steps to the summit.

Wiaan Mulder marked his ascendency to captaincy by scoring an unbeaten double-century as he led South Africa to 465/4 at stumps on day one of their second test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe's captain, called correctly at the toss and asked the visitors to bat first. Mulder and South Africa responded with a dominant display. The visitors had Wiaan Mulder (264*) and Dewald Brevis (15*) at the crease at the close of play.

Mulder, who reached his maiden double century with a brilliant pull into the midwicket boundary, produced a masterful performance in his first outing as South Africa's captain. The 27-year-old was handed the reins in Keshav Maharaj's absence. The left-arm spinner withdrew from the second test due to a groin injury. The all-rounder showed great confidence in his maiden outing as South Africa’s captain.

Mulder spent 333 minutes at the crease for his 264 off 259 balls. This is Mulder's third test century, and his second at No 3. The right-hander faced 116 balls to reach the milestone. Zimbabwe peppered him with the short ball in the morning session, and he responded with an exhibition on how to score off short deliveries. The hosts cycled through various bowling plans, but none could knock Mulder down.

The hosts thought they had finally dismissed him at the back end of the day's play when Tanaka Chivanga unrooted his off-stump. However, the replay showed that the Zimbabwean pacer had overstepped, and the South African captain was asked not to vacate his place in the middle.

The newly minted South African captain collected a few records in his innings. The 27-year-old faced 214 deliveries to reach his double hundred, the second fewest balls faced by a South African batter on their way to the milestone. Mulder's tally is the most runs by a captain in their first innings leading a test side. It is also the second-highest individual score by a South African captain ever, behind Graeme Smith's 277.

South Africa was on 11/1 when Mulder walked out to bat. He had barely settled down when Zimbabwe claimed another wicket to leave South Africa on 24/2. Mulder joined hands with David Bedingham (82) to not just steady the ship, but to take the game away from the hosts. The pair stitched an outstanding 184-run third-wicket partnership.

Bedingham missed out on runs in the first test, managing only 35 runs across two innings. The No 4 batter showed that it had been a blip as he recorded his fourth test century. He faced 51 deliveries to reach the milestone. The Durham and Western Province star was trapped lbw for 82 off 101 balls.

Bedingham was replaced by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, with whom Mulder mounted a 217-run fourth-wicket partnership. Pretorius continued his great start to test cricket by registering a maiden half-century. The 19-year-old faced 58 balls to reach the milestone and was dismissed for a well-played 78 off 87 balls.

Zimbabwe's bowlers toiled hard with little success. However, Tanaka Chivanga gave the hosts reasons to smile with two wickets for 85 runs in 18 overs. Wellington Masakadza and Kundai Matigimu played their part with a wicket each.

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ZIMBABWE: Tanaka Chivanga, Craig Ervine, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicolas Welch, Sean Williams.

SOUTH AFRICA: Lesego Senokwane, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf, Prenelan Subrayen

Proteas left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second test against Zimbabwe due to a left groin strain.

The captain for the series sustained the injury while batting on day three of the first test on Monday. He will return home for further assessment to determine the extent of the injury.

Senuran Muthusamy has been named as his replacement, while allrounder Wiaan Mulder will lead the side in the second test, which begins on Saturday, 06 July.

Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who was set to join the squad on Wednesday, has been released to give the seamers who impressed in the first test another opportunity to build on their performances.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD AGAINST ZIMBABWE - 2ND TEST

Wiaan Mulder (captain, DP World Lions), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).

FIXTURES

28 June – 02 July at 10:00

Zimbabwe lost to South Africa by 328 runs – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

06 - 10 July at 10:00

Zimbabwe v South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

South African captain Keshav Maharaj said his team’s 328-win in the first test against Zimbabwe on Tuesday showed the amount of talent there was in the South African cricket system.

Fast bowler Corbin Bosch took 5-43 as South Africa wrapped up the win on the fourth afternoon at Queens Sports Club, bowling out Zimbabwe for 208 after setting them 537 to win.

Playing in his second test, Bosch became the fourth South African to score a century and take five wickets in an innings in a test.

🔥🙆‍♂️ What a game Corbin Bosch is having!

A brilliant century in the first innings, now followed by a 5-wicket haul in the second 💪.

A true all-round masterclass on the Test stage! 🏏💯🎯 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/HWM8TwRuzm

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 1, 2025

Bosch was one of seven changes from the team that won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London last month.

"We’ve been a team that has just won something major and we had a lot of youngsters coming in," said Maharaj at the post-match presentation.

"We know the talent there is in our system. It was just about getting them in the right frame of mind to execute and they showed that throughout the four days."

Bosch was pipped for the player of the match award by Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who made 153 on debut and at 19 became South Africa’s youngest player to hit a test century.

"He’s a mature young man and to see the way he goes about his business in pressure situations is really encouraging," Maharaj said of the young left-hander.

Two breathtaking tons powered South Africa's charge in Bulawayo 🔥#ZIMvSA 📝: https://t.co/90VEx8npEd

📸: @ProteasMenCSA pic.twitter.com/cbG6MVFOLT

— ICC (@ICC) June 29, 2025

Pretorius praised the team environment. "It’s a moment I will cherish," he said. "The message in the change room was, be yourself and back yourself."

Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine admitted that the lack of a third seam bowler had hurt his team after fiery bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga had South Africa struggling at 55 for four on the first morning.

With no seam back-up, Zimbabwe lost control and South Africa set up their win by recovering to score 418 for nine declared.

"In hindsight another seamer would have done us a lot of favours on that surface, especially bowling first," said Ervine. "Going down to the spin (bowlers), we just weren't consistent enough."

Ervine said the Queens club pitch had offered uncharacteristic help to the faster bowlers. "We didn't expect as much pace and movement," he said.

Ervine said first innings century-maker Sean Williams was "exceptional, but it was disappointing there wasn’t someone else to support him."

Sean Williams' gritty sixth Test century helped Zimbabwe avoid the follow-on 🏏#ZIMvSA pic.twitter.com/EEzY0sHajl

— ICC (@ICC) June 29, 2025

Zimbabwe’s fragile batting line-up suffered a blow when opening batsman Brian Bennett was ruled out of the match after suffering concussion with his score on 19 in the first innings.

"He’s still getting monitored but hopefully he will be fit for the second test," said Ervine.

The teams meet again at the same venue in the second test starting on Sunday.

Corbin Bosch claimed a rare double of a century and a five-wicket haul to take South Africa to victory by a lopsided 328 runs over Zimbabwe on the fourth afternoon of the first test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Bosch, who became the fifth South African to achieve the feat, struck an undefeated 100 in South Africa’s first innings and then took 5-43 in 12 overs in Zimbabwe’s second innings that helped the Proteas dismiss the home team for 208 chasing the unlikely target of 537 for victory.

It was a match that South Africa controlled after the first session on the opening day when they slumped to 22 for three and 55 for four after winning the toss and batting first.

But then player of the match Lhuan-dre Pretorious struck 153 and fellow debutant Dewald Brevis 51 before Bosch helped the Proteas to a formidable 418 for nine declared.

Zimbabwe battled hard in their reply with Sean Williams striking a hundred before Wiaan Mulder struck his second test ton, and highest score, of 147 to set Zimbabwe a target they never looked remotely likely to achieve.

'DISPLAY WITH BALL ENCOURAGING'

Proteas’ skipper Keshav Maharaj said afterwards: “It was obviously very good to get over the line. The see the character we showed was heartwarming.”

He praised Pretorius, Brevis and Mulder before saying: “The display with the ball was very encouraging to see. No pressure, we know the talent within our systems. It was all about getting them into the right frame of mind to execute, and they showed that throughout the four days.”

Pretorius said: “It’s a moment I’ll cherish and remember for a very long time. It was amazing. The message was quite clear in the change room, that I needed to be myself. Soaking in the pressure and transferring it again was important.”

The damage was really done in the first hour of the day when Zimbabwe began on 32 for one, having lost the wicket of Takudzwanashe Kaitano to Bosch’s previous delivery in the final over of the day on Monday.

Bosch duly made it two in two when his short-pitched lifter was fended away by Nicholas Welch only to offer a simple catch to Tony de Zorzi at short leg.

First innings century-maker Williams defended the hat-trick ball then drove the next delivery imperiously for four, signalling his aggressive intentions.

The left-hander struck five fours in his 18-ball 26 before he became Bosch’s third victim when he got a leading edge to a ball he tried to turn down the leg side, the ball lobbing up into the gloves of wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

If Williams’ dismissal was a body blow to the Zimbabweans, the introduction of fellow seamer Yusuf increased their woes.

 With his first delivery, he had opener Prince Masvaure edging to Wiaan Mulder in the slips to depart for a gritty 12 off 76 deliveries.

Then it was the turn of Wessly Madhevere who edged a superb delivery to the wicketkeeper.

Finally Yusuf sent back Tafadzwa Tsiga who played away from his body to offer a sharp chance to Bosch at third slip.

Tsiga departed for a duck, and Zimbabwe were in a hopeless position on 82 for six.

RED FACES AVOIDED

Red faces were just about avoided, however, by a sparkling seventh-wicket partnership of 83 in 121 balls by skipper Craig Ervine and Wellington Masakadza.

With the pressure off concerning the ultimate result of the match, both men played with freedom on either side of lunch, with Masakadza striking some flamboyant drives through the off-side and Ervine honing his reverse-sweep against Maharaj.

The fun stopped shortly after lunch when Ervine (49 in 77 balls) clipped Bosch off his legs only for Tony de Zorzi to pick up a remarkable catch at short leg, diving to his left to claim the catch centimetres above the ground.

It was Vincent Masekesa who provided Bosch with his fifth wicket – his first five-for in tests – playing on off the inside edge.

Masakadza, meanwhile, had struck his first test fifty (his highest score before that was 17) and he went to 57 in 92 balls (9x4s) before he was caught at slip driving at Maharaj.

There was time for Blessing Muzarabani to have some fun striking four fours and two sixes in his unbeaten 32 before Brevis picked up his first test wicket having Tanaka Chivanga stumped down the legside by Verreynne.

Bosch had good support from Yusuf (3-22 in nine overs) on a day dominated by South Africa's pace attack.

---

ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Takudzawanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani

SOUTH AFRICA: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

Corbin Bosch claimed the wicket of Zimbabwe opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano in the final over to leave the home team on 32 for one in 18.2 overs in their second innings, still 505 runs shy of the unlikeliest of victories on the third day of the first test at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Monday.

Earlier, Wiaan Mulder’s superb 147, his second and biggest test ton after his first against Bangladesh last year, had guided South Africa to 369 all out in their second innings, setting Zimbabwe a world record target of 537 for victory in more than two days.

On a pitch that appeared slightly more docile than on the previous two days, Kaitano and Prince Masvaure batted with great diligence to deny the South African seamers and spinner Keshav Maharaj almost until the close, but in the end they were unable to keep a clean sheet as Bosch found the edge of Kaitano’s defensive push.

The ball flew low to Lhuan-dre Pretorius at third slip who made no mistake with the catch.

𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 | 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐬

The @ProteasMenCSA close the proceedings at Queen's Sports Club with a 505-run lead 🇿🇼🇿🇦#ZIMvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/SAComMBBbS

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2025

Maharaj’s five overs indicated that he will be a danger to the Zimbabwean batters on the fourth day with the left-arm spinner getting turn and bounce on a drying surface.

Indeed, Masvaure was dropped by Tony de Zorzi at short leg – a very tough chance – when the left-hander got an inside edge to a defensive push six overs before the close.

For most of the day, it was South Africa’s batters, and particularly Mulder, who dictated play as they clinically built on their first-innings lead of 167.

Mulder batted fluently and securely through the morning session, reaching his hundred in the final over as his team reached lunch on 185 for five – already a handsome lead of 352.

Mulder, an excellent allrounder, is often underestimated as a cricketer in the SA squad, but he has certainly come out of the shadows in this test, claiming four wickets in the Zimbabwe first innings and then a century with the bat.

It was Wiaan Mulder's day at Queen's Sports Club 🇿🇦🔝#ZIMvSA | #SSCricket pic.twitter.com/1YjVXsZTFU

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2025

ZIM A BOWLER SHORT

Zimbabwe’s problems were not entirely of their own making.

Strike bowler Blessing Muzarabani – excellent in his late spell on Sunday evening – was unable to bowl for most of the South African innings because he was feeling “unwell”.

Blessing Muzarabani is unwell and has not been able to take to the field this morning

📝: https://t.co/YuUohXBNdH 📺 https://t.co/iuMTRkQara#ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/wXF6QubNbF

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 30, 2025

Even when he had recovered sufficiently to take his place on the field, he still had to wait until well into the afternoon session before he was allowed to bowl.

In his absence Zimbabwe had to rely on spinners Wellington Masakadza, part-timer Wessly Madhevere and leggie Vincent Masekesa to support their sole paceman, Tanaka Chivanga.

Chivanga did claim the first wicket of the day, after South Africa resumed on 49-1, when he had De Zorzi caught at second slip by Sean Williams for 31.

De Zorzi’s departure ended a stand of 63 in 101 balls with Mulder.

David Bedingham and Mulder played positively against some loose bowling, adding a further 72 in 64 balls, before Bedingham, who had treated an errant Masakadza harshly, picked out the only fielder on the onside when he attempted to pull a short delivery from the left-arm spinner.

Bedingham departed for 35 in 39 balls, including four fours and a six.

Zimbabwe then built up a further head of steam thanks to legspinner Masekesa who bowled at a brisker pace and with more accuracy than in the SA first innings, achieving some significant turn at times.

He accounted for two of the South African debutants cheaply, Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, both bowled.

Pretorius left himself room to cut but was undone by sharp turn out of the footmarks while Brevis was beaten through the air as he attempted a big on-drive.

COMPOSED AND CLINICAL

Mulder, however, remained composed and clinical, playing fine strokes all around the wicket and going to his hundred in the last over of the session, driving Chivanga through the covers off the back foot.

1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐚𝐚𝐧 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫

It's a special occasion for the @ProteasMenCSA no.3 🇿🇦✨

📺 Stream #ZIMvSA on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/ByeKGgmWMW

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) June 30, 2025

Thereafter, South Africa scored easy runs in the afternoon session against a tired and depleted attack and a spread-eagled field.

Mulder and Kyle Verreynne took their sixth-wicket partnership to 104 in 131 balls before Mulder, just three short of the 150 mark, was caught on the midwicket boundary off part-time offspinner Wessly Madhevere.

His superb innings came in 206 balls and included 17 fours and two sixes.

Verreynne’s wicket fell at the same score, 259, when he pushed forward to Masakadza and was nicely taken at slip by Ervine to depart for 36.

The fall of wickets didn’t disturb South Africa’s momentum and Maharaj and first innings century-maker Bosch comfortably added 77 in 88 balls for the eighth wicket with Maharaj going into tea on 40 and Bosch 32.

There was little real tension in the action with Zimbabwe resigned to conceding runs.

Zimbabwe did miss one chance when Bosch was caught at slip by Ervine off the bowling of Muzarabani after he returned to action after his long break.

Unfortunately for the lanky pace bowler, he had overstepped and Bosch was spared.

Bosch did not survive much longer, however, being bowled by Masakadza for 36, and Maharaj followed soon after, also to Masakadza, after completing his sixth test 50.

Muzarabani did not go empty-handed, cleaning up Maphaka to end the innings.

Zimbabwe’s legspinner, Vincent Masekesa, was given the opportunity for an extended bowl and did well to claim the wickets of two of South Africa’s debutants, Pretorius and Brevis.

He also showed much greater control than in the visitors’ first innings.

The main wicket-taker, however, was Masakadza who took 4-98 off 22 overs.

Wellington Masakadza bags a four-fer as South Africa set Zimbabwe a target of 537.

📝: https://t.co/YuUohXBNdH 📺 https://t.co/iuMTRkQara#ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/5tubrVNmv9

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 30, 2025

Chivanga’s two-for enabled the paceman to claim a match haul of six wickets, a record for a Zimbabwean bowler against South Africa.

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ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Takudzawanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani

SOUTH AFRICA: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

Sean Williams struck a superb century, his sixth in tests, but it was Wiaan Mulder who kept South Africa in the box seat with a four-wicket haul and important runs at the end of the second day of the first test between Zimbabwe and South Africa at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Sunday.

At the close, South Africa had reached 49 for one in their second innings – an overall lead of 216 – with Mulder unbeaten on 25 in an unbroken 48-run partnership with Tony de Zorzi (22) after Matthew Breetzke had fallen for a single after edging Tinaka Chivanga to gully.

Once again, the Zimbabwean strike bowlers caused problems for the South African batters with the new ball. Although Chivanga got the sole wicket, it was Blessing Muzarabani who most impressed in his seven overs, gaining awkward lift and generally bowling a good line and length. The batters were relieved to leave the field after bad light cut short play by seven overs.

Earlier, the left-handed Williams almost single-handedly kept the home side in the game with an excellent 137 in 164 balls (16 fours) in a total of 251, more than half the runs scored, after South Africa declared overnight on their first innings total of 418 for nine, with Corbin Bosch undefeated on 100, his debut test ton and his first hundred at any level.

The tourists made an early breakthrough in the opening over of the Zimbabwe innings when debutant Codi Yusuf had opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano taken at midwicket after he chipped a catch off an innocuous delivery to midwicket. It was the softest of dismissals.

That blow was quickly followed by the dismissal of Nicholas Welch, caught behind flashing at a short, wide delivery from Yusuf. That made the total 23 for two and worse was to follow for the home team when a sharply rising delivery from Kwena Maphaka struck opener Brian Bennett squarely on his helmet after he was late on his hook shot.

The dazed Zimbabwe opener, who had struck four excellent boundaries, was assessed and cleared but, two overs later, he decided to leave the field still suffering from the after-effects of the blow. He was later deemed to be unable to continue in the match and was replaced by concussion substitute Prince Masvaure.

STOPPING THE ROT

South Africa were now right on top, but Williams and skipper Craig Ervine stopped the rot, taking the total to 94 for two at lunch. Initially, they were solid in defence, particularly against tight spells from Mulder (0-14 in five overs) and Bosch (0-11 in four overs). But the Proteas’ bowlers were unable to get as much assistance from the pitch as Chivanga and Muzarabani had the previous day.

Williams, strong off the back foot, struck six fours in his unbeaten 45 in 59 balls while Ervine gave him solid support in a subsidiary role as he reached 24 in 70 balls at the break.

Skipper Keshav Maharaj gave himself three overs before lunch and caused a couple of awkward moments while Yusuf, the Proteas’ most dangerous bowler in the session (2-30 off 10 overs) managed to discomfort the batters in a brief second spell in which he managed some sharp lift off a length.

Ervine was the first wicket to fall after lunch when Maharaj lured him down the pitch with a beautifully flighted delivery that turned through the gate, leaving an easy stumping chance for wicketkeeper Verreynne. That was Maharaj’s 200th test scalp. The left-arm spinner has taken the most wickets of any South African spinner, well ahead of Hugh Tayfield with 170. Ervine struck 36 in 90 balls and helped Williams add 91 in 160 balls for the fourth wicket.

The scoring rate increased with the arrival of Wessly Madhevere as Williams went onto the attack, scoring freely square of the wicket to both leg and off. The pair added 48 in 55 balls before Mulder – who had changed from the Airport to the more receptive City End – swung a delivery in late to trap Madhevere leg before.

This began an excellent period for the fast-medium pace bowler in which he claimed 3-22 in five overs, also grabbing the wickets of Masvaure, caught behind by Verreynne, and Tafadzwa Tsiga, caught via a leading edge by Yusuf at point.

It was now almost a solo show from Williams as the Zimbabwe middle-order and tail fell away with only Vincent Masekesa (11) reaching double-figures. Maharaj claimed his second important wicket when he had Williams stumped by Verreynne in a virtual replay of his earlier dismissal of Ervine. Williams, who had played with supreme assurance under considerable pressure, departed to a hero’s reception from the crowd.

But the left-hander’s departure signalled the impending demise of the innings as Mulder (4-50 in 16 overs) and Maharaj (3-70 in 16.4 overs) cleaned up the tail. Yusuf also made an important contribution, claiming 3-42. Maphaka went wicketless, but improved as the day went on, also hitting the helmet of Williams with a ferocious bouncer.

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ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Takudzawanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani

SOUTH AFRICA: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

 

Zimbabwe opening batsman Brian Bennett was ruled out of the rest of the first test against South Africa on Sunday after being diagnosed with mild concussion.

Bennett, who scored 139 on his previous test appearance against England in Nottingham last month, had scored 19 off 24 balls on the second day of the match when he attempted a hook against fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and was struck on the helmet.

After lengthy treatment on the field the 21-year-old resumed batting and faced three more deliveries in the next over from Codi Yusuf before walking off the field.

Zimbabwe Cricket announced during the lunch break that Bennett had been ruled out of the match and in keeping with concussion protocols would be replaced by Prince Masvaure.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch struck maiden test hundreds to enable South Africa to recover from 22 for three and 55 for four to reach 418 for nine at the end of an entertaining opening day’s play of the first test between Zimbabwe and the Proteas at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Pretorius, at 19 years 93 days, became the youngest South African to hit a ton on his test debut – and the seventh overall – while Bosch, in only his second test, reached three figures for his first test and first-class hundred. Among a number of achievements, Pretorius also became the youngest man to score 150 in tests.

💥 150 UP for Lhuan-dré Pretorius on debut! 🏏

It’s hard to put into words what a scintillating innings this has been: pure shot-making brilliance 🇿🇦💪!

A debut for the ages! 🔥#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/qWJ5w6pFsh

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 28, 2025

After a morning session of struggle against some hostile pace bowling from Blessing Muzarabani and Tanaka Chivanga, South Africa built momentum in the afternoon and evening sessions to eventually reach a handsome first-innings total at the close with Bosch exactly 100 not out in the company of Kwena Maphaka.

Earlier, Chivanga sliced through the Proteas’ top-order in stunning fashion with three wickets in the morning session after caretaker captain Keshav Maharaj won the toss and chose to bat first under a cloudless sky.

Both Chivanga and fellow paceman Muzarabani got the new ball to lift sharply off a length in their opening spells. Muzarabani looked particularly dangerous in his first spell, conceding his first run in his fifth over.

Opener Tony de Zorzi was dropped at slip by Sean Williams off the fourth ball of Muzarabani’s opening over but Brian Bennett made amends when he held on to a low catch at third slip off Chivanga to send De Zorzi packing for a 16-ball duck in the sixth over.

Fellow opener Matthew Breetzke looked positive but was unable to control a defensive shot to a ball that spat off a length from Chivanga, with Bennett taking his second catch in the slips. And when David Bedingham edged a tentative defensive stroke to Zimbabwean skipper Craig Ervine at first slip to depart for a duck, South Africa had fallen to a perilous 23 for three in the 15th over.

PARTIAL RECOVERY

Wiaan Mulder, batting at three, was then joined by Pretorius and the pair began what turned out to be only a partial recovery with the hefty left-hander leading the way with a six and a four off consecutive deliveries from left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, who did a fair holding job throughout the session. But, given the fresh conditions, it was a surprise that Zimbabwe only chose two seamers to go with two spinners.

Mulder and Pretorius looked set to see South Africa to lunch, but Mulder was superbly run out in the 23rd over when he pushed Muzarabani to the on-side and set off for a quick run. There was hesitation on his part, however, and the lanky fast bowler did well to pick up the ball, swivel and throw down the stumps at the bowler’s end with Mulder well out of his ground.

At lunch, Pretorius had reached a brisk 44 off 48 balls, including five fours and a six, with fellow-debutant Dewald Brevis on 10. Pretorius was largely responsible for the increase in the South African run-rate, although he may have been fortunate to escape when he seemed to get an inside edge to Chivanga. The vociferous appeal, however, did not impress umpire Richard Illingworth.

It was a different story after lunch, however, as Pretorius and Brevis launched an assault on Zimbabwe’s bowlers, adding 95 in 88 balls for the fifth wicket.

Part of the reason for this was that both batters plundered the erratic efforts of legspinner Vincent Masekesa, hitting him for 65 in seven overs, with Brevis particularly aggressive, smacking him for three sixes in one over. Masekesa didn’t exactly help his own cause, sprinkling his spell with a number of full-tosses and long-hops, enabling the South African batters to help themselves with little risk.

Nevertheless, Pretorius, who came to the crease on 23 for three, must be commended for his clinical performance, driving, cutting and pulling boundaries all around the field. Brevis was similarly aggressive albeit a little more vulnerable to rushes of blood to the head, and it was one of these that led to his downfall as he cue-ended a pull to Chivanga at mid-off off Mazarabani just after he had reached his 50. He struck three fours and four sixes in his 41-ball innings.

Kyle Verreynne helped Pretorius add 31 for the sixth wicket before he was well caught at slip by Zimbabwe’s captain, Craig Ervine, off the bowling of Wellington Masakadza, who did a reasonable holding job with his left-arm spin. Nevertheless, Zimbabwe lacked a third seamer to support Muzarabani and Chivanga, who represented the biggest challenge to the South African batters.

A well-structured half-century from Corbin Bosch down the order! 💪🔥

Composed, confident, and crucial as he has kept the runs flowing for the Proteas Men in this innings. 🇿🇦🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/YNP4SfL9zu

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 28, 2025

Bosch, who played a good supporting role, helped Pretorius maintain South Africa’s afternoon momentum as their partnership went past the 50 mark. An indication of the Proteas’ improvement was that they scored 158 runs in 31 overs in the afternoon at a rate of 5.1 runs to the over for the loss of only two wickets.

After reaching his century and helping South Africa to 248 for six at tea, Pretorius continued his assault in the final session as he and Bosch took their partnership to 108 off 136 balls on a pitch that had largely flattened out. The chunky left-hander had taken his score to 153 off 160 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes, when he attempted to hook Chivanga but failed to control the steep bounce and spliced his shot to mid-on. It was a magnificent effort from the youngster, who showed good discipline as well as aggression in his 160-ball innings.

After Pretorius’ departure, it was the turn of Bosch to take control, helped by useful contributions from Maharaj (21) and Codi Yusuf (27). He finally reached his hundred in the final over, striking 10 fours in the process.

It was a day of what might have been for Zimbabwe, but their two strike bowlers, Chivanga (4-83 in 16 overs) and Muzarabani (2-59 in 20 overs) didn’t receive sufficient backup with spinners Masakadza (1-109 in 30 overs) and particularly Masekesa (1-97 in 13 overs) unable to maintain pressure on the SA batters.

Pretorius was a delighted man after his record-breaking knock. “It was amazing. I was quite nervous at 23 for three, but it’s been a dream come true. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet. We knew they had only two seamers and we knew we could take the spinners out of the attack. To have my parents and family there just topped it off.”

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ZIMBABWE: Brian Bennett, Takudzawanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Tanaka Chivanga, Blessing Muzarabani

SOUTH AFRICA: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest South African to hit a test century when he reached the mark on debut on the first day of the first test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

The solidly-built left-hander, aged 19 years and 93 days, batted fearlessly after arriving at the crease with his team in trouble at 23 for three at Queens Sports Club.

Pretorius hit a six off the fourth ball he faced, from left-arm spinner Wellington Masakadza, then smiled broadly at batting partner Wiaan Mulder.

He hit another six and seven fours in reaching his century off 112 balls when South Africa were 207 for six half an hour before tea.

South Africa's previous youngest centurion was Graeme Pollock, who was aged 19 years and 318 days when he made 120 against Australia in Sydney in 1963/64. Pretorius became the seventh South African to make a century on test debut.

Pretorius became the 10th youngest test centurion of all time in a list headed by Mohammad Ashraful of Bangladesh, who was 17 years and 61 days old when he made a hundred against Sri Lanka in 2001.

It continued a meteoric rise to prominence for Pretorius, who made a century on his first-class debut last December when he was 18 and has now hit four centuries in eight matches.

Proteas Men’s test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain.

Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa’s second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury.

Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in his absence.

The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday, 24 June from OR Tambo International Airport. The first test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second test from Sunday, 6 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club.

SOUTH AFRICA TEST SQUAD AGAINST ZIMBABWE

Keshav Maharaj (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi* (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Lesego Senokwane (Momentum Multiply Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).

*second test only

FIXTURES

28 June - 2 July at 10am

Zimbabwe v South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

06 - 10 July at 10am

Zimbabwe v South Africa – Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo