South Africa and Zimbabwe will face each other in the 1st Test match on 28th June at Bulawayo.
Match Preview:
Before packing their bags for another long-ignored but long-standing neighbor, South Africa hardly had time to make a victory lap with the World Test Championship mace. In an intriguing series that isn’t a part of the latest WTC cycle, they’re heading to Zimbabwe. Nearly seven years have passed since the two countries’ last encounter in any red-ball format, and it has been eleven years since South Africa last played a Test match there.
The final Test between these teams took place in December 2017 and was a novelty match that lasted just over a day. Only three players remain from that XI in this week’s lineups: Craig Ervine, Blessing Muzarabani, and Keshav Maharaj. How has the rest changed?
Maharaj will command a significantly changed South African team as he fills in as skipper after Temba Bavuma was injured by a hamstring injury sustained during the grueling WTC last innings. The opening Test will not include seven of the players who defeated India at Lord’s. Lungi Ngidi will show up for the second game later. Meanwhile, the door is wide for a stream of young people.
In the first Test, three players are scheduled to make their debuts: Codi Yusuf, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Dewald Brevis. Prenelan Subrayen and Lesego Senokwane, two more, may also get a run in the second. In addition to testing the bench, head coach Shukri Conrad is utilizing this series as a springboard to create the future generation. It’s an obvious view to the future, but it’s not quite a complete reset.
Zimbabwe, on the other hand, is currently experiencing its busiest year ever. In 2025, they have already participated in five Test matches and have six more scheduled. The T20 World Cup Qualifiers are approaching, and Sri Lanka’s white-ball teams will be arriving shortly. Although the schedule is jam-packed, the workload hasn’t nearly been matched by the outcomes. Nevertheless, their victory over Bangladesh in April ended a four-year Test win drought, and that in and of itself has raised morale.
The ship is still being steered by Captain Craig Ervine, and their main weapon is Muzarabani. Zimbabwe’s longest-serving international, Sean Williams, contributes experience, while up-and-coming players like 19-year-old left-arm seamer Newman Nyamhuri and Brian Bennett provide new vitality.
This appears unbalanced if you only look at the paper. Even though they don’t play as much as they would like, South Africa is the Test champion. Zimbabwe has stated that they would love to be a member of the WTC, however they are not. But this series is more important than rankings and structures. Together with Namibia, the two nations will co-host the 2027 World Cup. A larger picture is at work here, one that includes regional links, common goals, and perhaps even a symbolic transfer of goodwill.
There are rumors that Zimbabwe would host a little celebration in honor of South Africa’s WTC victory. A respectful nod, a little athletic diplomacy, and perhaps even a means of igniting a more competitive spirit on the field.
Because pride, opportunity, and a taste of what lies ahead are always on the line, even in an unfavorable competition.
Probable Playing XI:
Zimbabwe: (probable) 1 Brian Bennett, 2 Prince Masvaure, 3 Nick Welch, 4 Sean Williams, 5 Craig Ervine (capt), 6 Wessly Madhevere, 7 Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), 8 Wellington Masakadza, 9 Vincent Masekesa, 10 Tanaka Chivanga, 11 Blessing Muzarabani
South Africa: 1 Matthew Breetzke, 2 Tony de Zorzi, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 David Bedingham, 5 Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 6 Dewald Brevis, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Corbin Bosch, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Codi Yusuf, 11 Kwena Maphaka
Pitch and weather report:
With runs at 3.34 per over and spinners being marginally more efficient than seamers, Queens’ Sports Club pitches are notoriously difficult for both batsmen and bowlers. Since 2023, seamers have taken 71 wickets at 34.74 and spinners have taken 85 at 29.62 in five Test matches.
The danger that out-and-out pace will present has not yet been tested, but it might show up in this series. For the next two weeks, the weather is expected to be good, but the mornings will be cold, with highs of several degrees Celsius.
Head-to-head record:
Zimbabwe is yet to win a Test match against South Africa as the both sides have played a total of 9 Test matches and South Africa stood victorious in 8 games while one match ended in a draw.
Where to Watch:
South Africa: DSTV app
India: Fancode app
Others: CricHD
