Young Stars Step Up as Depleted South Africa Aim to Sweep Zimbabwe in Second Test

South Africa may be without many of their frontline stars, but their young guns have made an instant impact — and they will once again be in focus as the visitors eye a 2-0 series sweep against Zimbabwe in the second Test at Queens Sports Club.

Having clinched the first Test with a commanding 328-run win, South Africa now face the added challenge of missing key spinner Keshav Maharaj, ruled out with a groin strain. That leaves Wiaan Mulder, the 26-year-old allrounder with 20 Test caps, to lead the team for the first time in any format of first-class cricket.

Mulder is part of a youthful, inexperienced squad — only he and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne (26 caps) have played more than 20 Tests. South Africa are also without Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada.

Despite the absence of big names, South Africa were dominant in the opening Test, with standout performances from debutants and rising stars. Teen sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius lit up Bulawayo with a record-breaking 153 — becoming the youngest man to score 150 in a Test — while Dewald Brevis added a quickfire 51 off 41 balls in his maiden appearance. Corbin Bosch, batting at No. 8, smashed a century and also picked up a five-wicket haul — the first South African to achieve that double in 23 years.

Mulder himself led from the front with 147 and four wickets, underlining the depth of talent in this new-look side.

Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be banking on experience to mount a comeback. Veteran batter Sean Williams struck a brilliant 137 in the first Test, continuing his stellar Test form that has seen him average 68.22 since 2020. Captain Craig Ervine got starts in both innings but will need to convert those into big scores to match the Proteas' intensity.

Zimbabwe’s bowling attack will again be led by Blessing Muzarabani, with support from Tanaka Chivanga, who claimed a six-wicket haul in the last match. Legspinner Vincent Masekesa showed glimpses of promise but needs greater control on a surface that offered more help to seamers.

In terms of selection, Zimbabwe may stick with Prince Masvaure, who came in as a concussion substitute for Brian Bennett. South Africa, meanwhile, are likely to replace Maharaj with Senuran Muthusamy, while uncapped players Lesogo Senokwane and Prenelan Subrayen remain in the squad.

Probable XIs:

Zimbabwe: Prince Masvaure, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Nick Welch, Sean Williams, Craig Ervine (capt), Wessly Madhevere, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, Tanaka Chivanga

South Africa: Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Wiaan Mulder (capt), David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Senuran Muthusamy, Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka

Pitch and Conditions:

The surface at Queens Sports Club showed plenty of life for fast bowlers in the first Test, with pace dominating spin throughout the match. Batters from both teams managed to score quickly, but the pitch slowed as the game progressed. Cool weather is expected again, with temperatures dipping to as low as 13°C.

Stats and Trivia:

At 19 years and 93 days, Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest player in men’s Test history to score 150.
Sean Williams now has the joint-second most Test centuries for Zimbabwe (with six), alongside Grant Flower and Brendan Taylor. Only Andy Flower has more.
This is only the third Test since 2017 where South Africa will be without all of Rabada, Bavuma, Maharaj, and Markram.

With the series already sealed, South Africa’s next generation has a golden opportunity to cement their place in the Test setup — while Zimbabwe must dig deep to avoid another heavy defeat.