South Africa ended the third day of the South Africa vs Zimbabwe first Test in Bulawayo with an unmistakable upper hand, building a commanding lead of 216 runs. After declaring their first innings on an imposing total of 418 for 9, the visitors bowled out Zimbabwe for 251. Despite a lion-hearted innings from Sean Williams, who crafted a sublime 137, Zimbabwe found little support from the rest of the batting order. South Africa’s top-order, led by Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi, then calmly extended the lead to close out the day at 49 for 1.
What began as a contest filled with promise for Zimbabwe quickly turned into a demonstration of South African control across all facets. A potent blend of pace, spin, and relentless pressure ensured the Proteas maintained their dominance throughout the day.
🚨 Change of Innings 🚨
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 29, 2025
Zimbabwe has been bowled out for 251, still trailing our Proteas Men by 167 runs 🏏🔥!
We're into the final hour of play on Day 2 as South Africa looks to build on their first-innings lead 💪🇿🇦.#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/lfMUShhSsu
Ruthless Start: South African Seamers Wreck Zimbabwe’s Top Order
The South African pace attack, spearheaded by debutant Codi Yusuf and the lively Kwena Maphaka, wasted no time in making early inroads. After declaring overnight, the visitors took full advantage of a pitch that offered both bounce and seam movement. Yusuf, in particular, impressed with his accuracy and poise, claiming 3 for 42 in his maiden Test outing. He struck early, removing Takudzwanashe Kaitano with a sharply rising delivery that was fended awkwardly to short leg.
Nick Welch was the next to go, edging behind off Yusuf’s probing line outside off. Maphaka, although slightly more expensive, bowled with aggression and nearly had multiple breakthroughs of his own. Zimbabwe’s innings took a worrying turn when Brian Bennett, who had been hit on the helmet by Maphaka, had to retire hurt due to concussion symptoms. The incident further destabilized Zimbabwe’s already fragile top order and forced them to call on Prince Masvaure as a concussion substitute.
At 23 for 2, Zimbabwe were staring down the barrel. But then came Sean Williams, walking out to bat under intense pressure, and he would go on to play one of his finest Test innings.
Sean Williams’ Masterclass: Controlled Brilliance Under Pressure
Sean Williams’ innings was a solitary beacon in Zimbabwe’s innings. His 137-run knock was a model of composure, timing, and intelligent strokeplay. From the moment he arrived at the crease, he played with a sense of calm authority, counterattacking when necessary and showing respect to deliveries that merited it.
He found early support in skipper Craig Ervine, and together, they stitched a vital partnership of 91 runs. Ervine played the anchor role, consuming 83 deliveries for his 36, while Williams remained the aggressor, cleverly rotating strike and dispatching bad balls. The pair’s resistance temporarily halted South Africa’s momentum and ensured Zimbabwe survived until lunch with no additional damage.
Williams’ approach against spin was particularly noteworthy. Against Keshav Maharaj, he employed the sweep and the slog sweep with great success. In 52 deliveries faced from the left-arm spinner, Williams scored 43 runs, with five boundaries and a six over midwicket showcasing his ability to both defend and dominate spin. Twice he advanced down the pitch to Maharaj to loft deliveries into the leg-side, converting length balls into scoring opportunities with remarkable footwork and precision.
Zimbabwe Collapse After Williams Reaches Landmark
Williams reached his century with an air of inevitability, bringing up his sixth Test hundred—a milestone that puts him second only to Andy Flower in Zimbabwean cricket history. But as has often been the case for Zimbabwe, the joy was short-lived. Masvaure, who had just joined Williams, edged Mulder behind off the very next ball, triggering a rapid collapse.
Mulder, who had already claimed Ervine earlier with a smart delivery from Maharaj’s end, returned to tear through the middle and lower order. He finished with figures of 4 for 50, exploiting Zimbabwe’s tendency to play away from the body and attacking the stumps consistently. Tafadzwa Tsiga and Wellington Masakadza offered only brief resistance before falling in similar fashion, either edging or miscuing under pressure.
The fall of Williams—stumped for 137 after a sharp piece of work by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne—was the final blow. With his dismissal, Zimbabwe’s fight evaporated. The last three batters added a mere two runs, with Vincent Masekesa, Blessing Muzarabani, and Tanaka Chivanga all departing tamely. Zimbabwe were all out for 251, trailing South Africa by 167.
South Africa’s Openers Steady the Ship in Testing Evening Session
Faced with a handy lead, South Africa’s approach in the second innings was cautious yet assured. Their start, however, wasn’t without hiccups. Chivanga, fresh off his 4-wicket haul in the first innings, struck in his first over of the second, removing Matthew Breetzke for just 1. A well-directed delivery forced the batter to edge to gully, giving Zimbabwe a glimmer of hope.
But that hope was quickly extinguished by the calm presence of Tony de Zorzi and Wiaan Mulder. The duo batted with patience and clarity, negotiating tricky movement under the evening sky. Zimbabwe’s seamers, led by Chivanga and Muzarabani, continued to generate some help from the surface, but the South African pair held firm. Their unbroken stand took the team to 49 for 1 by stumps, extending the lead to 216 runs and solidifying their control of the match.
Tactical Excellence: South Africa’s Bowling Depth on Full Display
South Africa’s bowling attack excelled through strategic execution and variety. Codi Yusuf, in particular, looks a promising addition to their pace arsenal. His ability to maintain pressure with tight lines, combined with natural bounce, adds a new dimension to South Africa’s pace strategy. Maphaka, while slightly raw, brought pace and aggression that clearly unsettled Zimbabwe’s batters.
The change bowlers—Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch—offered a seamless transition between the new ball and the old. Mulder’s knack for breaking partnerships at key moments was pivotal, while Bosch offered control that prevented Zimbabwe from accelerating during the middle overs. Maharaj’s role was also crucial, not only in applying pressure but in taking vital wickets, including that of Sean Williams.
Stumps at Queens Sports Club!
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 29, 2025
South Africa going into stumps at 49/1 in their second innings, a lead of 216.
Match Details 👉 https://t.co/YuUohXCl3f#ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/oNo6Wo2fA5
South Africa vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Scorecard Summary
South Africa 1st Innings: 418/9 declared
(Ruan Pretorius 153, Corbin Bosch 100*; Tanaka Chivanga 4/83)
Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 251 all out
(Sean Williams 137; Wiaan Mulder 4/50, Codi Yusuf 3/42)
South Africa 2nd Innings: 49/1 at stumps
(Wiaan Mulder 25*, Tony de Zorzi 22*; Tanaka Chivanga 1/18)
Overall Lead: South Africa lead by 216 runs
Looking Ahead: Can Zimbabwe Resist on a Wearing Pitch?
With two full days of play remaining, South Africa are in complete control. The pitch in Bulawayo has shown signs of wear, with variable bounce and turn increasingly prominent. The conditions are likely to deteriorate further, and with Maharaj’s spin already proving effective, Zimbabwe face the daunting prospect of a fourth-innings chase on a difficult surface.
The visitors are expected to bat deep into the fourth day, potentially setting Zimbabwe a target in excess of 400. For Zimbabwe to salvage anything, they will require a collective effort with the ball on day four followed by a monumental batting display—something that has eluded them so far in this match.
For now, all signs point toward a dominant South African victory unless Zimbabwe can script a miracle comeback.
South Africa vs Zimbabwe 1st Test Key Takeaways
- Sean Williams remains Zimbabwe’s most dependable batter, now with six Test centuries to his name.
- South Africa’s new-generation pace attack—led by debutant Codi Yusuf—delivered with skill and control.
- Wiaan Mulder’s all-round contribution underpinned South Africa’s dominance with both bat and ball.
- Zimbabwe’s top-order fragility and lack of support for Williams highlight a recurring issue.
- South Africa’s lead of 216 runs going into day four puts them in a near-unassailable position barring an extraordinary turnaround.
South Africa will resume on the fourth morning with a solid platform and the luxury of dictating the pace of the game. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to stay competitive in a match that is slowly slipping away.
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🗣 Zimbabwe national team assistant coach Dion Ebrahim shares his thoughts on Day 2 of the first Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa.#ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/ZtdhJZUNck
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 29, 2025
Conclusion
South Africa have outclassed Zimbabwe in every department thus far in the South Africa vs Zimbabwe first Test in Bulawayo. With a commanding 216-run lead and a deep batting lineup still intact, the visitors are in prime position to set an insurmountable fourth-innings target. Zimbabwe’s reliance on Sean Williams was evident, and unless the hosts can find contributions from multiple players with both bat and ball, the outcome seems all but inevitable. The pitch continues to wear, and South Africa’s bowling unit—backed by spin and relentless pace—will relish the conditions. A clinical finish on day four could seal a comprehensive win for the Proteas.
