South Africa Crush Zimbabwe by an Innings and 236 Runs to Seal 2-0 Series Win

South Africa completed a resounding innings-and-236-run victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test at Queens Sports Club, wrapping up the match within just over two sessions on the third day. The win sealed a 2-0 series sweep for the visitors and marked their tenth consecutive Test victory — a streak that includes their triumph over Australia in the World Test Championship final last month.

It was a match defined by utter dominance from South Africa, particularly from stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder. The all-rounder’s unbeaten 367 — now the fifth-highest individual score in Test history — set the tone for the match. Zimbabwe, in contrast, managed only 170 and 220 across their two innings combined, falling short of Mulder’s solo tally by just 23 runs.

Zimbabwe began the third day trailing by 405 runs in their second innings, with nine wickets in hand and defeat all but inevitable. Overnight batters Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch showed some early resistance, but the breakthrough came swiftly when Senuran Muthusamy struck in his first over, removing Kaitano for 40.

Welch tried to counterattack with aggressive strokes, including two sixes off Muthusamy and a few edgy boundaries. He eventually reached a gritty 55 but fell to a leading edge after lunch, caught at slip by Mulder. That dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse — Zimbabwe crumbled from 153 for 3 to 184 for 9 in the post-lunch session.

South Africa’s bowling unit shared the spoils, with Corbin Bosch claiming 4 for 38 and Muthusamy finishing with 3 for 77. Young seamer Codi Yusuf also made his mark with two key wickets, including the dismissals of Wessly Madhevere and Tafadzwa Tsiga.

Despite a valiant effort from tailenders Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga — who added some late runs and frustration for South Africa — the end came swiftly. Chivanga hit 22 off 26 balls, but eventually top-edged Muthusamy to slip, where Mulder fittingly took the final catch.

Mulder was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 367 and also received the Player of the Series award for scoring 531 runs and taking seven wickets across the two Tests. His performance not only underlined his all-round value but also showcased South Africa’s growing depth in Test cricket.

Zimbabwe, meanwhile, were handed their heaviest defeat by runs in this series and will have a long list of questions to address before their next assignment.

Score Summary:

South Africa: 626/5 decl (Mulder 367*, Bedingham 82; Chivanga 2-112)
Zimbabwe: 170 (Williams 83*; Subrayen 4-42, Yusuf 2-20) & 220 (f/o) (Welch 55; Bosch 4-38, Muthusamy 3-77)
Result: South Africa won by an innings and 236 runs
Series: South Africa won 2-0
Player of the Match: Wiaan Mulder
Player of the Series: Wiaan Mulder