Bulawayo, July 7, 2025 – South Africa are on the verge of sealing a massive innings victory over Zimbabwe in the second and final Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
After declaring at a towering 626/5, South Africa’s dominance continued as Zimbabwe collapsed for just 170 in their first innings and ended Day 2 at 51/1 in the follow-on, still trailing by 405 runs with three full days remaining.
Zimbabwe, playing at home in Africa, faced relentless pressure from the moment South Africa put bat to ball. Wiaan Mulder’s unbeaten 367 set the tone for the visitors. His record-breaking knock was not only a personal triumph but a strategic masterclass that left Zimbabwe demoralized. Reflecting on his innings, Mulder credited his County cricket experience in England for refining his technique and admitted he distracted himself with songs between deliveries — even singing Zombie by The Cranberries. His humility was evident as he chose not to chase Brian Lara’s world record, instead prioritizing South Africa’s team strategy.
When Zimbabwe came out to bat after lunch, the collapse was swift. They lost a wicket on the first ball, and their top order unraveled under tight bowling from Codi Yusuf and Mulder, who took two wickets each. Debutant Prenelan Subrayen added four more scalps as Zimbabwe folded in just 43 overs. Sean Williams’ counter-attacking 83 was the only resistance in an otherwise fragile batting display.
Despite being forced to follow on, Zimbabwe showed a bit more fight in the final hour. Takudzwanashe Kaitano looked composed on 34*, while Nick Welch remained unbeaten, offering hope of delaying the inevitable. Dion Myers was the only casualty, bowled by Bosch for 11. Still, Zimbabwe need a miracle to avoid defeat against an energized South African side.
South Africa’s bowlers maintained their intensity. Bosch and Yusuf bowled with discipline, while Mulder’s captaincy shone through with clever field settings and sharp rotations. The visitors from South Africa controlled every session of Day 2 — scoring at nearly 5.5 runs per over and keeping Zimbabwe under constant pressure.
As the light faded and stumps were called, South Africa looked firmly in control, while Zimbabwe faced a mountain of runs and pressure. Unless something extraordinary happens, Africa’s southern powerhouse seems poised for an emphatic win.