ZIM vs RSA 2nd Test Match：Day 3

Stumps：South Africa beat Zimbabwe by an innings and 236 runs.

South Africa steamrolled Zimbabwe in Bulawayo with a performance so dominant it felt like a mismatch from ball one. Wiaan Mulder was the star of the show, smashing a jaw-dropping 367*, just 23 short of Zimbabwe’s entire two-innings total! Backed by Bedingham’s steady 82 and a relentless bowling unit led by Bosch, Muthusamy, and Yusuf, the visitors wrapped things up in under three days. That’s not just a win; that’s a statement.

Congratulations, South Africa!#ZIMvSA #ExperienceZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/OWCVQW28yu

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 8, 2025

Zimbabwe had a few moments like Sean Williams’ fighting 83* and Welch’s gritty 55, but they were never really in the game. South Africa’s bowlers kept chipping away, and once the top order crumbled, it was a slow slide to an innings and 236-run defeat. This sealed a 2-0 series sweep and marked South Africa’s tenth Test win in a row. They’re clearly in red-hot form after their WTC 2025 triumph.

South Africa hand an innings defeat to Zimbabwe to take the Test series 2-0 💪#ZIMvSA 📝: https://t.co/th3yftSBLM pic.twitter.com/bYpTHQqRZ9

— ICC (@ICC) July 8, 2025

ZIM vs RSA 2nd Test Match：Day 2

Stumps：Zimbabwe trail by 405 runs.

Wiaan Mulder lit up Bulawayo with a jaw-dropping 367 not out, sending records tumbling and fans into a frenzy. South Africa piled on 626 for 5 before declaring, yes, declaring! With Mulder just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s all-time record. Why call it off then? Well, perhaps chasing team glory over personal milestones is still a thing. Zimbabwe, overwhelmed from ball one, folded for 170 and were sent right back in under the follow-on rule.

3️⃣0️⃣0️⃣and counting 🔥

Wiaan Mulder becomes the second triple centurion from South Africa 👏

📸: @ProteasMenCSA | #ZIMvSA 📝: https://t.co/th3yftS3We pic.twitter.com/59lE331rI4

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

Day two wasn’t just the Mulder Show, though he was clearly the headline act with 49 fours, 4 sixes, and a level of control that made batting look like backyard cricket. Zimbabwe’s bowlers toiled hard but were punished even harder. Subrayen spun his way to 4 wickets, while Sean Williams briefly lit up the chase with a quickfire 83*. At stumps, Zimbabwe reached 51 for 1, still trailing by 405, and, amusingly, still behind Mulder himself.

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 🤩

Wiaan Mulder enters the history books with a stunning 367* against Zimbabwe 👏#ZIMvSA | ✍️: https://t.co/EvFis53jyH pic.twitter.com/uSpsmGXlFO

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2025

ZIM vs RSA 2nd Test Match：Day 1

Stumps：Zimbabwe choose to bowl.

South Africa owned Day 1 of the second Test in Bulawayo, racking up a jaw-dropping 465 for 4, and Wiaan Mulder was the star of the show. On his captaincy debut, Mulder batted like a man possessed, cruising to an unbeaten 264. He shared monster partnerships with David Bedingham (184-run stand) and teenage dynamo Lhuan-dre Pretorius (217-run stand), putting Zimbabwe’s bowlers through the wringer under the blazing sun. Bedingham looked rock solid for his 82, while Pretorius played like a man in fast-forward, cracking 78 off just 87 balls.

A captain’s knock on the morning of Day 1 from Wiaan Mulder 🔥💪.

A well-structured half-century that provided the innings with much-needed impetus. 🇿🇦🏏 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/2i2QwoYEK3

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 6, 2025

Zimbabwe, unfortunately, had a rough time: dropped catches, overstepped wickets, and some seriously questionable tactics (short balls to set batters? Really?). Even when they thought they’d finally got Mulder at 247, a no-ball call snatched the moment away. Debutant Matigimu bowled through discomfort, but it wasn’t enough to stop the run flow. With South Africa hammering 222 runs in the final session alone, it’s safe to say Day 1 belonged entirely to the visitors.

South Africa pile up runs on Day 1 at Bulawayo 👊

📷: @ProteasMenCSA#ZIMvSA 📝: https://t.co/th3yftSBLM pic.twitter.com/5ig5RK85Nu

— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2025

ZIM vs RSA 2025 2nd Test: More about learning and exposure than just the result

After wrapping up the first Test on July 2nd, Zimbabwe and South Africa return to the Queen’s Sports Club Ground after a four-day break for the final match of the series. As mentioned in our previous piece, the gulf in class between the two sides means that the result may not carry too much weight for Zimbabwe. What matters more is the exposure and experience they gain at the international level.

Zimbabwean cricket still has a long way to go, and fixtures like these are less about the numbers on the scoreboard. Instead of getting too caught up in the outcome, fans would do well to watch for flashes of brilliance and moments of fight from the home side.

You can also click here to view the full TEST schedules

Zimbabwe’s Key Players to Watch

• Craig Ervine – Ervine’s patience and technique are vital on this slow pitch. His 65 in the 1st Test proved he can handle RSA’s pace and spin. As captain, he stabilizes the innings and avoids collapses, especially when the ball starts turning.
• Blessing Muzarabani – His height (6’6”) generates awkward bounce, even on low tracks. He took 3/48 in the 1st Test, troubling RSA’s top order. With reverse swing likely later, he’s ZIM’s biggest wicket-taking threat.
• Sikandar Raza – Raza’s off-spin is perfect for this pitch (took 4 wickets last Test), and his aggressive batting can shift momentum. With the surface breaking up, his variations will challenge RSA’s middle order. Also a clutch player in close games.
• Brandon Mavuta – The pitch will favor spin by Day 3, and Mavuta’s wrist spin (5 wickets in 1st Test) could outsmart RSA’s batters. His googly is hard to read, and he’s improved his control. A dark horse for Player of the Match.

South Africa’s Key Players to Watch

• Dean Elgar – Elgar’s grit is perfect for tough pitches. In the 1st Test, he ground out a 70 to steady RSA. On a slow track, his patience and ability to wear down bowlers (like vs Muzarabani) will set the tone. A classic Test-match warrior.
• Kagiso Rabada – Rabada’s pace and seam movement (4 wickets in 1st Test) are deadly even on flat decks. At Queen’s, his early spells with the new ball could rip through ZIM’s top order. His yorkers to tailenders are a bonus.
• Keshav Maharaj – Maharaj’s left-arm spin thrives here (career-best 9/129 vs ZIM in 2021). The pitch’s wear and tear will help his sharp turn and bounce. Key to breaking partnerships when ZIM bats long.
• Marco Jansen – Jansen’s height and angle trouble batters (3 wickets last Test), and his lower-order runs (handy 30s) add depth. On this pitch, his cutters and reverse swing will be nasty. A rising star.

ZIM vs RSA 2025 2nd Test Possible Squad List

ZIM vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Preview & Match Details:

Match Name: South Africa tour of Zimbabwe series

Match Date: 6th Jul 2025

Match Time: 01:30 PM IST

Competing Teams: Zimbabwe vs South Africa 2nd TEST (ZIM vs RSA)

Venue: Queen’s Sports Club Cricket Ground

Note：The match has not started yet, but updates will be provided regularly once it begins.

ZIM vs RSA 2025 2nd Test – Venue: Queen’s Sports Club Cricket Ground

Stadium Capacity: Approximately 12,500 spectators

Stadium Address: VH4Q+2HV, A5, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Stadium Features: Queen’s Sports Club Cricket Ground is located in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The stadium was built and opened in 1890. However, it was not originally designed specifically for cricket – it was initially used for sports like rugby and tennis. As cricket gradually became more popular, the venue evolved into a dedicated cricket ground. The first international Test match at this venue was held in 1994, 24 years after its establishment. Since then, Queen’s Sports Club has become a regular host for international cricket matches. Due to its relatively balanced pitch conditions, it is now considered one of the important venues for international fixtures.

All South Africa tour of Zimbabwe Series Match:

• ZIM vs RSA 2025 1st Test of the South Africa tour of Zimbabwe series on 06/28 at 13:30 PM IST