1. Series Overview
First, South Africa entered Zimbabwe with a point to prove. They were fresh off a World Test Championship win. Yet, they rested key players and let youth shine reuters.com+13reuters.com+13si.com+13.
Still, they delivered: 328-run win in the first Test and another dominant display in Bulawayo. In two matches, the Proteas won both emphatically, showcasing their depth.
2. Taking Charge: A Fresh, Aggressive Lineup
In Bulawayo, South Africa fielded a young side. New faces like Dewald Brevis, Lhuan‑dre Pretorius, Matthew Breetzke, Codi Yusuf, and Corbin Bosch joined. They wanted to show hunger sacricketmag.comcrickettimes.com+9reuters.com+9dailysabah.com+9.
Chris Morris’s absence led to all‑round options: off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen and the tall medium‑pacer Bosch. These players would make decisive contributions.
Internal link to squad changes & debutants.
3. First Test Recap: 328‑Run Win
At Queen’s Sports Club:
- South Africa posted 418/9 declared.
- Zimbabwe replied with 251 in their first innings.
- SA declared their second at 369, setting a huge 537‑run target.
- Zimbabwe crumbled to 208 all out, allowing SA to win by 328 runs—their heaviest on home soil en.wikipedia.org+3dailysabah.com+3abcnews.go.com+3reuters.com+12zimbabwesituation.com+12dailysabah.com+12.
Bosch picked 5‑43, joining debut century-maker Lhuan‑dre Pretorius (153) and Brevis (51) as standout performers reuters.com+9zimbabwesituation.com+9reuters.com+9. Zimbabwe’s reply was subdued, though Wellington Masakadza shone (57).
4. Second Test: Bulawayo Batting Brilliance
Moving to the second Test, captained by Wiaan Mulder, South Africa piled on the runs zimbabwesituation.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1foxsports.com.au+15reuters.com+157news.com.au+15:
- Mulder scored 264 on Day 1, the highest by a debut captain ever reuters.com.
- His innings included two brilliant partnerships:
- 184 with David Bedingham (82)
- 217 with Pretorius (78) abcnews.go.com+1zimbabwesituation.com+1theguardian.com+15reuters.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15hindustantimes.com.
These foundations set up a mammoth total and deep all‑round control.
5. The Historic 367 Declaration*
Then came one of the biggest moments in modern Test cricket:
- On Day 2 at lunch, Mulder reached 367 off 334 balls*—the fifth‑highest Test score ever and the second‑fastest triple century in Test history indiatoday.inreuters.com+15reuters.com+15thesun.co.uk+15.
- He smashed 49 fours and 4 sixes, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311* as the highest individual South African Test score foxsports.com.au+5abcnews.go.com+5foxsports.com.au+5.
- Remarkably, he then declared, 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s 400 thesun.co.uk+4sacricketmag.com+4hindustantimes.com+4.
- Mulder explained: “I thought we got enough…Brian Lara is legend”—a selfless act to favour the team over personal glory timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3thesun.co.uk+3timesofindia.indiatimes.com+3.
Internal link to Mulder’s captaincy and mindset.
6. Why Mulder’s Knock Mattered
Mulder’s innings was special for several reasons:
- With strike rate around 85, he displayed controlled aggression.
- Took calculated declaration, ensuring bowlers got enough time.
- Became only the second SA besides Kallis to combine century and five‑for in one Test reuters.com+4reuters.com+4abcnews.go.com+4theguardian.comtimesofindia.indiatimes.comzimbabwesituation.com.
- Entered the elite “Top 5” club in Test history cricket.com.au+6si.com+6hindustantimes.com+6.
7. Bowling Brilliance: Finishing the Job
After the declaration:
- Zimbabwe were skittled for 170 in the first innings, forced to follow on 456 runs behind timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15reuters.com+15skysports.com+15.
- Debutant Subrayen took 4‑42, supporting Mulder who took two wickets reuters.com+8reuters.com+8abcnews.go.com+8.
- By stumps Day 2, they were 51/1, trailing by 405 7news.com.au+3indiatoday.in+3foxsports.com.au+3.
The bowlers executed Mulder’s plan, wrapping up the series.
8. Pitch & Conditions: Bulawayo Outlook
At Queens, batters dominate early. It flattens mid-days, before ageing later crickettimes.com+1cricket.one+1.
The pitch offered rapid runs and brief seam movement. It suited Mulder’s aggressive batting and team’s bowling depth.
Internal link to pitch & weather report.
9. Team Culture: Youth, Depth, Energy
South Africa’s approach highlights impressive depth:
- Debutants excelled alongside young stars like Brevis and Pretorius.
- Bowler Bosch announced himself.
- The selfless captaincy from Mulder shows strong team-first mindset.
Internal link to new talents and squad depth.
10. What Happens Next: Tri-Nation T20 Series
With Tests done, Zimbabwe will host a tri-nation T20I series featuring South Africa and New Zealand from July 14–26 dailysabah.com+2reuters.com+2reuters.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
SA will likely rotate their squad, offering more chances to bench talents. Zimbabwe seeks redemption on home soil.
11. South Africa 1st Innings
| Batting Order | Runs – Balls | 4s/6s | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder* | 264 – 214 b | 35/1 | Record-setting captain |
| David Bedingham | 82 – 87 b | 5/0 | 3rd-wicket stand |
| Lhuan‑dre Pretorius | 78 – 87 b | 5/2 | Strong contribution |
| … Others … | – | – | – |
| Total | 465/4 (88 overs) | Declared end Day 1 espn.co.uk+15cricket.com.au+15espncricinfo.com+15theguardian.com+7espn.co.uk+7timesofindia.indiatimes.com+7sacricketmag.com+1de.wikipedia.org+1cricketworld.com+7hindustantimes.com+7sports.ndtv.com+7 |
12. South Africa 2nd Innings
| Player | Runs – Balls | 4s/6s |
|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder* | 103* – 83 b (continuation) | – |
| Kyle Verreynne | 42 | – |
| … Others … | – | – |
| Total | 626/5 declared (114 overs) |
13. Zimbabwe 1st Innings
| Batter | Runs – Balls |
|---|---|
| Sean Williams* | 83* – 55 b |
| Others | – |
| Total | 170 all out (43 overs) |
14. Zimbabwe 2nd Innings (Following On)
| Batter | Runs – Balls |
|---|---|
| Takudzwanashe Kaitano* | 34* – 51 b |
| Nick Welch | 6 |
| … Others … | – |
| Total | 51/1 (16 overs) at stumps Day 2, trailing by 405 en.wikipedia.org+15espn.co.uk+15cricketworld.com+15en.wikipedia.org+7reuters.com+7cricbuzz.com+7 |
15. Bowling Highlights
South Africa:
- Prenelan Subrayen: 4‑42 (debut) espncricinfo.com+5reuters.com+5cricbuzz.com+5
- Wiaan Mulder: 2‑20 espn.co.uk+15reuters.com+15cricbuzz.com+15
Zimbabwe (1st innings):
- Notable wicket: Corbin Bosch trapped Kaitano LBW theguardian.com+15reuters.com+15flashscore.com+15
16. Game Progression & Outcome
- Day 1: South Africa declared at 465/4, driven by Mulder’s 264* cricket.com.au+13cricket.com.au+13espn.co.uk+13
- Day 2: Resumed as Mulder pushed to 367* before declaring at 626/5, honoring Lara’s legacy espn.co.uk+9reuters.com+9reuters.com+9
- South Africa then cleaned up Zimbabwe for 170, enforced follow-on. Zimbabwe ended Day 2 at 51/1, trailing by 405, on course for another win espncricinfo.com+10reuters.com+10thetimes.co.uk+10.
