Lhuan-dre Pretorius Makes History with Record-Breaking Test Century Against Zimbabwe
Harare, June 26, 2025 — In what turned out to be a historic opening day of the first Test match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, 20-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius delivered a performance that is likely to be remembered for generations. Not only did he notch up his maiden Test hundred, but he also became the youngest South African to score a century in Test cricket. Partnering with Corbin Bosch, who too registered a magnificent century, Pretorius helped South Africa surge past the 400-run mark on Day 1 — a remarkable feat on foreign soil.
🎯 A Century for the Ages: Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters Records
The 1st Test match of the South Africa tour of Zimbabwe 2025 began with Zimbabwe winning the toss and electing to bowl on a fresh Harare pitch. But what followed was a masterclass in batting, led by the teenage prodigy Pretorius, who walked in to bat with supreme confidence. Displaying a mature blend of aggression and composure, he stitched crucial partnerships and played strokes that belied his age.
Pretorius’ century came off just 127 balls and featured 17 crisp boundaries. With this, he broke the record previously held by Graeme Smith for the youngest South African to hit a Test century — an achievement that immediately shot him into the limelight of global cricket.
📈 Stats That Stun: Pretorius Joins Elite Company
- Youngest South African to score a Test century (20 years, 161 days)
- Fifth youngest globally to hit a hundred in debut Test outside home
- Scored 100+ runs on debut — a rare feat among modern South African cricketers
- Put up a 200+ run partnership with Corbin Bosch — the highest for SA in Zimbabwe
This wasn’t just a personal milestone. Pretorius’ hundred signified the arrival of a new generation of South African cricketers, ready to step into the shoes of legends like AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla.
🔥 Twin Centurions: Corbin Bosch Complements the Masterstroke
While Pretorius hogged the spotlight, Corbin Bosch ensured the run-fest didn’t stop. Displaying clinical precision, Bosch anchored the innings and accelerated when needed. His 112-run knock came in 195 balls, including 12 boundaries and 2 sixes. Together, the duo wreaked havoc on Zimbabwe’s bowling unit, putting the South African innings in a commanding position by stumps.
Their 220-run partnership for the 4th wicket not only took the pressure off the middle order but also demoralized the Zimbabwean bowling lineup that had looked decent early on. For a team that has struggled to find middle-order stability in the past year, this was a massive boost.
📌 Day 1 Summary: Scorecard Highlights
- South Africa 423/6 at Stumps (90 overs)
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius: 132 (off 187 balls)
- Corbin Bosch: 112 (off 195 balls)
- Donald Tiripano: 2/79 (best bowler for Zimbabwe)
Zimbabwean bowlers started the day with tight spells, but as the sun beat down and the pitch eased out, their discipline wavered. The lack of variety and absence of genuine pace hurt them badly against South Africa’s fluent batting display.
💬 What They Said: Reactions Pour In
South Africa’s Head Coach, Shukri Conrad, was all praise for Pretorius, calling his innings “an example of maturity and temperament beyond his years.” Former players like Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock took to X (formerly Twitter) to hail the youngster’s poise under pressure.
“This young lad @LhuandreP is something special. Shot selection, footwork, balance — everything screams future star. A debut hundred away from home is no joke.” – Jacques Kallis
On the other side, Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine admitted, “We missed our lengths and paid the price. But credit where it’s due — South Africa batted brilliantly today.”
📷 Viral Moment of the Day: Helmet Off, Eyes Skyward
The most emotional moment came when Pretorius reached the 100-run mark, pulling a short ball past midwicket. As the crowd applauded and the dressing room stood in ovation, Pretorius removed his helmet, looked to the sky, and dedicated the century to his late brother — a gesture that instantly connected him with fans worldwide.
📊 WTC 2025-27 Implications: South Africa’s Perfect Start
This tour is a part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027, and a dominant win here would be crucial for South Africa. With bonus points available for innings victories and bowling performances, a score in excess of 400 on Day 1 puts them in prime position to capitalize.
Given the shaky form of teams like England and Pakistan recently, South Africa’s resurgence with young blood is exactly what the Test format needs. A stable, aggressive batting core built around players like Pretorius could shape the team’s fortunes over the next 5 years.
🔍 Technical Masterclass: Pretorius’ Shot-Making and Technique
What truly set Pretorius apart was his shot selection. He played late, respected good deliveries, and punished anything short or overpitched. His cover drives were textbook, and his ability to rotate strike ensured constant scoreboard pressure.
Batting coach Justin Ontong pointed out after the day’s play, “What we’re seeing here is a blend of modern fitness and old-school Test discipline. Pretorius trains like a T20 star but thinks like a Test veteran.”
📅 What to Expect on Day 2
With six wickets down, South Africa will look to pile on a 500+ score and then unleash their pace attack, led by Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen. Zimbabwe will need early wickets to have any chance of staying in the contest.
The pitch is expected to deteriorate from Day 3, meaning batting last could be a nightmare. South Africa’s objective will be simple — bat once, bat long, and bowl Zimbabwe out twice.
📝 Final Thoughts: A Star Is Born
Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ debut century has electrified the world of Test cricket. In an era where the red-ball format often struggles for viewership, stories like these — of young talent stepping up on foreign soil — are a reminder of cricket’s enduring charm.
As Day 2 beckons, all eyes will be on whether South Africa can translate this dominant start into a series lead. But no matter the outcome, June 26, 2025, will forever be remembered as the day a teenager announced himself to the cricketing world with an unforgettable century.