Bulawayo, Zimbabwe:
South African captain Wiaan Mulder is scripting one of the most extraordinary innings in Test cricket history. The 27-year-old all-rounder has turned the second Test against Zimbabwe into a personal statement, cruising past multiple milestones and putting Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 firmly in his sights.
On only his debut as Test captain, Mulder has not just led from the front he’s blazing a path into cricket’s record books.
Day 1: A Commanding Start
South Africa won the toss and elected to bat on a batting-friendly Bulawayo pitch. What followed was a day of sheer dominance.
Wiaan Mulder walked in at No. 4 and looked composed from ball one. By stumps, he was unbeaten on 264, the highest score by a captain on Test debut, surpassing Graham Dowling’s 239 from 1968.
Mulder reached his:
Century in 118 balls,
Double century in 214 balls,
And became only the third South African to score over 250 in a single day.
His strokeplay was authoritative punishing anything short or wide, while showing discipline against the new ball. Partnerships of 184 with David Bedingham and 217 with Lhuan-dre Pretorius helped South Africa pile on 465/4 at stumps on Day 1.
Day 2: Triple Century Milestone
If Day 1 was about dominance, Day 2 was about history.
Wiaan Mulder resumed on 264* and wasted no time getting back into rhythm. Within the first session, he reached his maiden Test triple-century off just 297 balls, becoming:
The second-fastest triple-centurion in Test history (after Virender Sehwag),
Only the second South African after Hashim Amla to score a Test triple ton
And the highest-scoring South African captain in Tests, overtaking Graeme Smith’s 277.
At the lunch break on Day 2, Mulder stood tall on 367 not out, with South Africa well past 626 runs for 5 wickets.
Wiaan Mulder now holds the record for the highest individual Test score by a South African captain 🇿🇦
1️⃣ Wiaan Mulder – 296* (SA) vs ZIM, 2025
2️⃣ Graeme Smith – 277 (SA) vs ENG, 2003
3️⃣ Graeme Smith – 259 (SA) vs ENG, 2003
4️⃣ Graeme Smith – 234 (SA) vs PAK, 2013
5️⃣ Graeme… pic.twitter.com/MfrtWbffMU— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) July 7, 2025
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Lara’s 400 Under Threat:
With Mulder showing no signs of fatigue, Brian Lara’s iconic 400 not out set in 2004 against England could finally be under real threat after two decades. Mulder requires just 33 more runs to match the world record.
With the pitch still flat and Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggling for breakthroughs, all eyes are now on how long South Africa chooses to bat and whether Mulder will be given the green light to chase history.
Zimbabwe’s Bowling Struggles
Zimbabwe’s attack had little answer to Mulder’s brilliance. Seamers Tanaka Chivanga and debutant Kundai Matigimu toiled hard, but none could maintain consistent pressure. Their only solace came with scattered wickets around Mulder, but his dominance remained unshaken.
With the South African total mounting, Zimbabwe now face a near-impossible task of staying alive in this Test.
Opinion: South Africa may look to declare soon on Day 2, but first, the Proteas will let Mulder chase history. Regardless, the visitors are in complete command, looking to seal the series after their big win in the first Test.
