Day 1: Pretorius, Bosch Hit Historic Hundreds as South Africa Surge to 418/9 After Early Collapse

Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius declared, *“I just wanted to play my natural game and stay calm. To become South Africa’s youngest Test centurion is a dream come true.”*

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates his ton against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. @ ProteasMen/X

Reigning World Test Championship holders South Africa overcame a disastrous start to finish Day 1 in complete command against Zimbabwe, piling up 418 for 9 in Bulawayo on Saturday.

Reduced to 55 for 4 in the first session, the Proteas looked rattled by a fiery spell from Tanaka Chivanga. The pacer tore through the top order, dismissing Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke in identical fashion as Brian Bennett took sharp catches at third slip. Chivanga then removed David Bedingham for a duck, before a mix-up led to Wiaan Mulder’s run-out for 17.

At that point, the 19-year-old Pretorius stepped up with remarkable composure.

Pretorius after his stunning 153, which included 11 fours and four sixes reflected

We knew if we could bat a couple of hours, we’d get back into the game.

(R) Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis repaired South Africa's innings after they lost three wickets for 23 runs in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. @ ProteasMen/X

Pretorius found a willing partner in Dewald Brevis, who played aggressively to bring up his own fifty with three towering sixes off Vincent Masekesa. Their 95-run stand off just 88 balls revived the innings, before Brevis fell top-edging a pull shot to mid-off.

Zimbabwe skipper Craig Ervine took a fine catch to dismiss Kyle Verreynne cheaply, but Pretorius kept the momentum going. He raised his landmark century with a single off his 113th delivery, surpassing Graeme Pollock’s long-standing record to become South Africa’s youngest Test centurion.

Corbin Bosch then provided late-day fireworks, saying afterwards, *“I just wanted to be positive and keep the scoreboard moving.”* He did just that, hammering an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls and sharing a 108-run stand with Pretorius for the seventh wicket.

Chivanga eventually ended Pretorius’s superb innings with a short ball that was skied to mid-on, but South Africa’s lower order continued to flourish. Captain Keshav Maharaj added a brisk 21, Codi Yusuf chipped in with 28, and Kwena Maphaka closed out the day by launching a six off the final delivery.

Bosch reached his maiden Test hundred with just three balls left in the day, punctuating a remarkable turnaround from South Africa’s perilous start.

Brief Scores: South Africa 418/9 in 90 overs (Lhuan-dre Pretorius 153, Corbin Bosch 100\*, Dewald Brevis 51; Tanaka Chivanga 4-83, Blessing Muzarabani 2-59) vs Zimbabwe