South Africa’s cricket team delivered an unforgettable performance on the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe, showcasing resilience, skill, and determination. Despite a shaky start that saw them reduced to 55/4, the Proteas staged a remarkable recovery, propelled by debutant centuries from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch. By the close of play, South Africa had surged past the 400-run mark, finishing at an impressive 418/9. This article dives into the thrilling details of the day’s play, highlighting performances, turning points, and the impact of this dominant display in Test cricket.
A Rocky Start for South Africa
The first Test match against Zimbabwe began with high expectations for South Africa, but their second-string squad, featuring only four players from the World Test Championship (WTC) Final-winning team, faced early challenges. Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by the fiery Tanaka Chivanga, exploited the conditions to put the Proteas under pressure. Chivanga, introduced early in the attack, struck crucial blows by dismissing openers Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke in quick succession. His fiery opening spell continued to trouble the visitors as David Bedingham edged a delivery to first slip, leaving South Africa reeling at 55/4.
The early dismissals raised concerns among fans, with Zimbabwe’s disciplined bowling threatening to dominate the day. Wiaan Mulder’s unfortunate run-out further compounded South Africa’s woes, as an unnecessary single led to his departure, leaving the team in dire need of a partnership to stabilize the innings.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius: A Debut to Remember
Enter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a young debutant who walked out to bat with confidence and intent. From the moment he arrived at the crease, Pretorius displayed remarkable composure, announcing his arrival in Test cricket with a stunning six off just his fourth ball. He followed it up with a beautifully timed cover drive for four, signaling his aggressive approach. Pretorius’s fearless batting provided a much-needed spark for South Africa, shifting the momentum in their favor.
Joining Pretorius was another debutant, Dewald Brevis, who faced a challenging situation early in his innings. A controversial moment arose when Brevis appeared to edge a delivery behind, but with no Decision Review System (DRS) available for the series, he was given a reprieve. This stroke of luck proved pivotal, as Brevis capitalized on the opportunity to anchor the innings alongside Pretorius.
Brevis and Pretorius Rebuild with Flair
The duo of Pretorius and Brevis took on the daunting task of rebuilding South Africa’s innings after the early setbacks. Post-lunch, Brevis unleashed his attacking instincts, finding the boundary with regularity. The highlight of his innings came when he smashed three sixes in a single over from Vincent Masekesa, racing to a well-deserved fifty on debut. His aggressive strokeplay not only lifted South Africa’s spirits but also put Zimbabwe’s bowlers on the back foot.
Unfortunately for Brevis, his innings came to an end shortly after reaching his half-century, as he mistimed a shot and was dismissed for 51. While his departure was a blow, Pretorius continued to dominate, unfazed by the loss of his partner. His aggressive yet calculated approach kept the scoreboard ticking, and he formed another crucial partnership with Corbin Bosch to steer South Africa out of trouble.
Pretorius’s Record-Breaking Century
Lhuan-dre Pretorius’s maiden Test century was a masterclass in composure and aggression. Reaching the milestone in just 112 balls, he became the youngest South African to score a century on debut, etching his name into the record books. His innings was a blend of powerful strokeplay and impeccable timing, with sixes and fours flowing effortlessly. Pretorius’s ability to dominate Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly in the post-lunch session, was a testament to his talent and temperament.
Pretorius didn’t stop at his century. He continued to pile on the runs, hammering two more sixes off Brian Bennett and striking three fours in a single over from Chivanga. His 150 came in quick time, further solidifying his status as the star of the day. Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled to contain him, and his aggressive batting ensured South Africa maintained control of the game.
Corbin Bosch: The Unsung Hero
While Pretorius stole the headlines, Corbin Bosch played an equally vital role in South Africa’s recovery. Dropped early in his innings, Bosch made Zimbabwe pay for their mistake with a composed and confident performance. Forming a crucial partnership with Pretorius, Bosch provided stability while also contributing valuable runs. His ability to rotate the strike and find boundaries kept the pressure on Zimbabwe’s bowlers, who were beginning to tire.
As Pretorius neared his 150, Bosch continued to grow in confidence, playing with assurance and building his innings steadily. After Pretorius’s departure, Bosch took charge, guiding South Africa past the 400-run mark with a maiden Test century of his own. His century was a gritty effort, marked by intelligent shot selection and a determination to make the most of his opportunity.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Struggles
Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by Tanaka Chivanga, started the day with promise but struggled to maintain their early dominance. Chivanga was the standout performer, finishing with figures of 4/83, including the wickets of de Zorzi, Breetzke, Bedingham, and Pretorius. However, the lack of DRS and dropped catches, particularly Bosch’s reprieve, proved costly for the hosts. Vincent Masekesa and Brian Bennett also chipped in with wickets, but their efforts were overshadowed by South Africa’s batting onslaught.
The absence of DRS was a significant talking point, as it could have potentially altered the course of the game. Brevis’s edge and Bosch’s dropped catch were moments that Zimbabwe would rue, as both batters went on to play match-defining knocks. Despite their early breakthroughs, Zimbabwe’s bowlers were unable to sustain the pressure, allowing South Africa to dominate the latter stages of the day.
Contributions from the Lower Order
South Africa’s lower order played a crucial role in pushing the team’s total beyond 400. Keshav Maharaj and debutant Codi Yusuf chipped in with valuable contributions, forming useful partnerships with Bosch. Maharaj’s experience and Yusuf’s resilience ensured South Africa maximized their total, frustrating Zimbabwe’s bowlers in the process.
With five overs remaining in the day, Bosch took on the responsibility of farming the strike after the fall of the ninth wicket. His smart batting ensured South Africa lost no further wickets, while Kwena Maphaka’s gritty resistance at the other end culminated in a six off the final ball of the day, adding a flourish to an already dominant performance.
Moments of the Day
- Early Collapse: South Africa’s top order crumbled to 55/4, with Chivanga leading Zimbabwe’s bowling attack.
- Pretorius’s Explosive Start: The debutant’s six off his fourth ball set the tone for his aggressive innings.
- Brevis’s Reprieve: A controversial non-DRS call allowed Brevis to survive and contribute a vital 51.
- Pretorius’s Century: The young left-hander’s 112-ball ton made him South Africa’s youngest debut centurion.
- Bosch’s Gritty Ton: Dropped early, Bosch capitalized to score a maiden century, guiding South Africa past 400.
- Lower-Order Resistance: Contributions from Maharaj, Yusuf, and Maphaka ensured a strong finish.
What Lies Ahead for Day 2?
South Africa’s commanding position at 418/9 puts them firmly in control of the first Test. With Bosch still at the crease and Maphaka showing resilience, the Proteas will aim to add a few more runs before turning their attention to Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will need early wickets on Day 2 to limit South Africa’s lead and regain some momentum.
The pitch, which offered assistance to bowlers early on, appears to have settled, favoring batsmen as the day progressed. Zimbabwe’s batsmen will need to show discipline and application to counter South Africa’s bowling attack, which includes the likes of Keshav Maharaj and Kwena Maphaka. The hosts will also hope for a better bowling performance on Day 2 to claw their way back into the game.
Why This Performance Matters
South Africa’s stunning recovery on the opening day is a testament to their depth and talent pool. Despite fielding a second-string side, the Proteas showcased their ability to adapt and overcome adversity. The performances of debutants Pretorius, Brevis, Yusuf, and Bosch highlight the bright future of South African cricket, with young players stepping up on the international stage.
For Zimbabwe, the day was a mix of promise and frustration. Their bowlers showed early potential, but lapses in the field and the absence of DRS proved costly. The hosts will need to regroup and come up with a solid game plan to challenge South Africa’s dominance.
South Africa vs Zimbabwe 1st Test 2025: Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch Shine with Twin Centuries to Power Proteas Past 400
On June 28, 2025, the opening day of the first Test match between South Africa and Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo delivered a thrilling spectacle of resilience and talent. A second-string South African side, reeling at 55/4 early in the day, staged a remarkable recovery to end at an imposing 418/9, thanks to scintillating centuries from debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius and all-rounder Corbin Bosch.
A Shaky Start for South Africa
South Africa, led by stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma, opted to bat first after winning the toss. However, their decision backfired early as Zimbabwe’s seamers, particularly Tanaka Chivanga, exploited the morning conditions. Chivanga, introduced early in the attack, struck twice in quick succession, dismissing openers Tony de Zorzi (0) and Matthew Breetzke (13) to leave South Africa at 23/3. David Bedingham’s tentative poke outside off-stump resulted in a duck, caught at first slip, further deepening the Proteas’ woes.
The situation deteriorated when Wiaan Mulder, batting at No. 3, was run out after a risky single, leaving South Africa precariously placed at 55/4. With only four players from their World Test Championship (WTC) final-winning XI present, the visitors faced a daunting task against a Zimbabwe side eager to capitalize on their early breakthroughs.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius: A Debut to Remember
Enter Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a 19-year-old left-handed batsman making his Test debut. Walking in at 23/3, Pretorius announced his arrival with audacious intent, smashing a six off his fourth ball in Test cricket, bowled by spinner Wellington Masakadza. He followed it with a crisp cover drive for four, signaling his aggressive approach. Despite a controversial moment when he edged a delivery on 30 but survived due to the absence of DRS, Pretorius remained unfazed, displaying maturity beyond his years.
Pretorius, who had already made waves with three centuries in just six first-class matches, formed a crucial 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. His aggressive yet composed batting kept Zimbabwe’s bowlers at bay, as he targeted their spinners, particularly Vincent Masekesa, who struggled with overpitched deliveries. Pretorius reached his half-century in just 53 balls, becoming the youngest South African to score a Test fifty, surpassing Graeme Pollock’s record set in 1964.
Post-lunch, Pretorius accelerated, reaching his maiden Test century in a mere 112 balls, making him the youngest South African to achieve this feat at 19 years and 93 days, breaking Pollock’s 61-year-old record. His 160-ball 153, studded with 11 fours and four sixes, included a breathtaking assault on Brian Bennett and Chivanga, with three fours in a single over. Pretorius’ innings ended when Chivanga dismissed him, but not before he had altered the game’s course, steering South Africa to 289/7.
Dewald Brevis: A Fiery Cameo
Dewald Brevis, another debutant, played a pivotal role in South Africa’s recovery. Joining Pretorius at 55/4, Brevis adopted an aggressive approach, cutting loose after lunch with a scintillating 51 off 41 balls. The highlight of his knock was an explosive over against Masekesa, where he smashed three sixes to race to his fifty. Brevis, a prodigy since topping the run-charts at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, showcased his flair but fell soon after, mistiming a lofted shot to Blessing Muzarabani. His quickfire contribution, laced with three fours and four sixes, provided South Africa with much-needed momentum.
Corbin Bosch: From Dropped Catch to Maiden Century
Corbin Bosch, playing only his second Test, emerged as the day’s other hero. Dropped on 2 by wicketkeeper Clive Madande, Bosch made Zimbabwe pay dearly for the error. Initially watchful, he grew in confidence, forming a 108-run stand with Pretorius for the seventh wicket. After Pretorius’ departure, Bosch anchored the innings, guiding South Africa past 400 with a composed maiden century. His 100 not out, celebrated with a roar and a raised bat, came off a pulled single off Chivanga, supported by lower-order contributions from Keshav Maharaj (21) and Codi Yusuf (27).
BoschJonah Lomu, widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players of all time, passed away on September 18, 2024, at the age of 49, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire athletes and fans worldwide. His extraordinary career, marked by record-breaking performances and a transformative impact on the sport, has been commemorated through various tributes, highlighting his influence both on and off the field.
Final Thoughts
The opening day of the first Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe was a thrilling display of cricket, with South Africa’s young guns stealing the show. Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Corbin Bosch led the charge with centuries that not only rescued their team from a precarious position but also set the stage for a dominant performance. As the match progresses, all eyes will be on whether South Africa can maintain their momentum and whether Zimbabwe can mount a comeback.
For cricket fans, this day was a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of Test cricket. With debutants shining and records being broken, the first Test promises more drama in the days to come. Stay tuned for updates as South Africa looks to build on their strong start and Zimbabwe aims to fight back.