Wiaan Mulder’s Record-Breaking Triple Century Puts South Africa in Command Against Zimbabwe

After ruling day 1 of the Test match, South Africa continued their dominance on day 2 of the 2nd Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on July 7, 2025. The Proteas, already in a commanding position at 465/4, piled on more runs before declaring at a massive 626/5, leaving Zimbabwe reeling. Wiaan Mulder’s incredible 367 not out, the fifth-highest individual Test score ever, stole the show. Zimbabwe, forced to bat twice in a day, crumbled to 170 all out in their first innings and ended day 2 at 51/1 in their second, trailing by 405 runs.

Wiaan Mulder’s Triple Century

Day 1 had seen South Africa feast on a flat Bulawayo pitch, with Mulder’s unbeaten 264 leading the charge, supported by David Bedingham’s 82 and Lhuan-dre Pretorius’ 78. Day 2 picked up right where they left off. Mulder, captaining the side in place of the injured Keshav Maharaj, was unstoppable. He started the day with Dewald Brevis, who added 15 runs to his overnight score before falling for 30 off 35 balls, caught by substitute Clive Madande off debutant Kundai Matigimu. Brevis hit four fours, showing flashes of his IPL and T20 Blast form, but couldn’t convert his start.

Kyle Verreynne, the wicketkeeper, joined Mulder and played a key role in pushing South Africa’s total higher. The pair put on a 113-run stand for the sixth wicket, with Mulder racing toward history. He reached his triple century, 300 off 297 balls, with 38 fours and three sixes, early in the session, becoming South Africa’s highest individual Test scorer, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311. By lunch, Mulder was unbeaten on 367 off 334 balls, with 49 fours and four sixes, and Verreynne was on 42 off 62, including five fours and a six. South Africa declared at 626/5 after 114 overs, a statement of intent after their 328-run win in the first Test.

Mulder’s 367 not out was a record for a first-time Test captain and placed him behind only Brian Lara (400*), Matthew Hayden (380), Lara again (375), and Mahela Jayawardene (374) in Test cricket’s highest individual scores. Fans lamented his decision to declare 33 runs short of Lara’s record, calling it a missed chance to etch his name in history. But Mulder later explained he wanted to respect Lara’s iconic 400 and focus on the team’s goal of winning the match.

Zimbabwe’s bowling attack, already battered on day 1, struggled again. Tanaka Chivanga was the pick, finishing with 2/112 in 24 overs, including the wickets of Tony de Zorzi (10) and Bedingham. Kundai Matigimu, despite a niggle, took 2/124, dismissing Pretorius and Brevis. Wellington Masakadza grabbed 1/184, while Blessing Muzarabani went wicketless for 133 runs in 26 overs. Zimbabwe’s tactics, like bowling short to Mulder and Bedingham, backfired, and dropped catches, like Mulder’s top-edge on 91 and Pretorius’ skied shot on 31, hurt them badly. The hosts’ attack lacked bite, and South Africa’s batsmen made them pay.

Zimbabwe’s Poor Outing in the First Innings

Zimbabwe’s first innings was a disaster. Starting at lunch, they collapsed to 170 all out in just 43 overs. It began with a blow as opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano was caught behind off Codi Yusuf for a first-ball duck. Dion Myers fell for 1, nicking Corbin Bosch to Verreynne. Nick Welch made 10 before edging Yusuf to substitute Zubayr Hamza. At 15/3, Zimbabwe were in deep trouble. Captain Craig Ervine (17) and Wessly Madhevere (25) added 36, but Mulder struck twice, bowling Madhevere and having Ervine caught by Yusuf. Tafadzwa Tsiga scored 12 before Senuran Muthusamy got him caught by Brevis.

Sean Williams, Zimbabwe’s lone warrior, fought brilliantly, finishing unbeaten on 83 off 55 balls, with seven fours and two sixes. His aggressive cuts and sweeps kept the scoreboard moving, but the lower order crumbled. Wellington Masakadza (3), Kundai Matigimu (0), and Blessing Muzarabani (5) fell to Prenelan Subrayen, who took 4/42. Tanaka Chivanga hit a six and a four in his 10 before Subrayen ended the innings. South Africa’s bowlers shared the spoils: Yusuf (2/20), Mulder (2/20), Bosch (1/27), and Muthusamy (1/59) all contributed.

Battling the Follow-On

With a 456-run lead, South Africa enforced the follow-on, a rare move in modern Tests. Zimbabwe’s second innings started late in the day, and they showed some grit. Dion Myers and Takudzwanashe Kaitano put on 31 for the first wicket, but Bosch struck, bowling Myers for 11. Kaitano, unbeaten on 34 off 51 with five fours, and Nick Welch, on 6 off 17, battled to stumps, reaching 51/1 in 16 overs.

They trailed by 405 runs, with South Africa’s spinners, like Subrayen, already finding a turn on a drying pitch. South Africa’s dominance was clear. Mulder’s marathon knock, backed by Bedingham’s 82, Pretorius’ 78, Brevis’ 30, and Verreynne’s 42, set an imposing total. The 184-run stand between Mulder and Bedingham, followed by a 217-run partnership with Pretorius, crushed Zimbabwe’s spirit. The hosts’ bowling errors and fielding lapses, like Wessly Madhevere’s drop, made things worse.

Zimbabwe’s first innings collapse, despite Williams’ heroics, left them staring at defeat. South Africa’s bowlers, led by Subrayen’s four-for, kept the pressure on, and the follow-on ensured Zimbabwe faced an uphill battle. For Zimbabwe, Sean Williams’ 83 not out was a bright spot, showing his class and fight. But with only one wicket down in their second innings, they need a miracle to avoid another heavy loss.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Day

Getting the TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Day award for his brilliant bowling, Prenelan Subrayen stole the show in Zimbabwe’s first innings during the 2nd Test at Bulawayo. The South African spinner ripped through the hosts’ lower order, taking 4/42 in 10 overs to help bowl Zimbabwe out for 170 in 43 overs. His spell was a game-changer, putting South Africa firmly in control. Zimbabwe were already wobbling at 82/6 when Subrayen came into his own. His first victim was Wellington Masakadza, caught by Wiaan Mulder for 3 off 23 balls in the 30th over, leaving Zimbabwe at 109/7.

Two overs later, Subrayen clean-bowled Kundai Matigimu for a duck, rattling the stumps and making it 121/8. He wasn’t done yet, trapping Blessing Muzarabani for 5, caught by substitute KT Maphaka in the 36th over, with Zimbabwe at 135/9. Subrayen sealed his haul by dismissing Tanaka Chivanga for 10, caught by Maphaka again, ending the innings at 170 in the 43rd over. His tight bowling, with just one maiden, kept the pressure on, and his four wickets broke Zimbabwe’s back.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

For the day, getting the TCNI’s Hero of the Day Award has to be Wiaan Mulder, who smashed an epic 367 not out in South Africa’s first innings. The stand-in captain’s knock was pure magic, anchoring South Africa to a massive 626/5 declared in 114 overs. His innings, the fifth-highest in Test history, left everyone stunned. Mulder batted for 509 minutes, facing 334 balls, and hammered 49 fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 109.88. Starting day 2 at 264 not out, he powered on, reaching his triple century off 297 balls with 38 fours and three sixes.

He added 113 runs with Kyle Verreynne (42 not out) for the sixth wicket, pushing South Africa past 600. Mulder’s 184-run stand with David Bedingham and 217 with Lhuan-dre Pretorius had already crushed Zimbabwe’s bowlers. Despite chances, like a dropped catch at 91, Zimbabwe’s attack, led by Tanaka Chivanga (2/112) and Kundai Matigimu (2/124), couldn’t stop him. Mulder’s decision to declare 33 runs shy of Brian Lara’s 400 sparked chatter amongst the fans.

What to Expect on Day 3 of the Test Match?

Now, with only one wicket down in their second innings, Zimbabwe need a miracle to avoid another heavy loss against the South African team and with them already 1-0 up after the first Test, they are poised to sweep the series. Mulder’s leadership, both with bat and ball, has been a revelation, and young stars like Pretorius and Brevis signal a bright future. As day 3 looms, Zimbabwe face a daunting task, while South Africa look to seal another crushing victory.