Match News and Current Form
Following a couple of narrow losses to Afghanistan and Ireland earlier this year as well as an historic away win in Bangladesh, there was hope that cricket in Zimbabwe was becoming competitive on the red ball scene again. Such optimism has quickly been shot by losses of an innings and 106 runs (Bangladesh), an innings and 45 runs (England) and by a massive 328 runs to the Proteas last week.
The problems are widespread: in addition to having one of the worst batting averages in the world (25.79) since the start of 2024, Zimbabwe’s bowlers are lamenting the highest bowling average in the world (36.59) during that same period, whilst their average of 22 extras conceded per innings almost means they’re playing against 12 batters rather than 11!
South Africa rested several of the stars of their World Test Championship final victory but it hardly changed the result, especially when their three debutants were amongst their four best players. The uncapped trio of Lhuan-dre Pretorius (153), Corbin Bosch (100* and 5-74) and Codi Yusuf (6-64) all played the roles expected of the experienced men they replaced.
It’s no coincidence that their new-found status as world champions coincides with some of the finest form of their history. Whilst this is far from their longest unbeaten run in their 136 years as a Test nation, they here have the opportunity to register a tenth consecutive Test win for the first time ever, having last done so across 2002 and 2003. There was almost nothing last week to suggest they won’t write new history here.
Head-to-Head History
After playing their first Test against Zimbabwe since 2017, South Africa now have a near-perfect nine wins and one draw from the ten meetings. Five of the wins were by an innings and the remainder came with margins of at least seven wickets or 300 runs.
Long story short, Zimbabwe have almost never been competitive across the entirety of a Test against South Africa.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Takudzwanashe Kaitano cleared 30+ runs in only two of his ten career innings.
Wesley Madhevere does so even less frequently - in two of his 13 career starts.
David Bedingham has completed 12 consecutive innings without a half-century or better.
Senuran Muthusamy took 0-1 wickets in five of his six Test innings.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Tanaka Chivanga was by far the most incisive of Zimbabwe’s bowlers with some sharp back of a length deliveries, shredding South Africa’s top order to 23/3 in the first innings before the ball wore out. He twice dismissed Proteas opener Matthew Breetzke, whose three innings at Test level have produced just 14 runs.
Keshav Maharaj picked up a groin strain batting in the first Test and has been ruled out of this match. Wiaan Mulder will take his place as captain and fellow left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy will replace him in the XI. Lungi Ngidi was set to join the squad for this match but he has been allowed to remain home.
Betting Analysis
After correctly picking Sean Williams to top score for Zimbabwe in our first Test preview, we’ll be opting for new Proteas skipper Wiaan Mulder to top score after a tremendous second innings 147.
