Wiaan Mulder enjoyed a dream start to his Test captaincy as South Africa completed an emphatic innings-and-236-run victory over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday, sealing a 2-0 clean sweep of the series.
Standing in for the injured Keshav Maharaj, Mulder produced a monumental unbeaten 367—the highest individual score by a South African batter — to set up the triumph inside just three days.
It’s super special. It’s something I dreamt of as a kid. To captain the country is one of the biggest honours you can get as a cricketer. I was disappointed with how I got out in the first Test. Coming into this game, I just tried my best, let the outcome go, and focused on what I could do in the moment.
Zimbabwe resumed Day 3 on 51 for 1, still trailing by 405 runs, and never looked likely to claw their way back. Debutant Senuran Muthusamy continued his excellent start to Test cricket by dismissing opener Takudzwanashe Kaitano (40).
Mulder contributed with the ball as well, removing veteran Sean Williams for 11, while Craig Ervine (49) tried in vain to steady the innings.
Muthusamy, who had already picked four wickets in the first innings, struck again to end a 49-run stand, as Mulder pouched a sharp catch at slip to remove Nick Welch (55).
The Zimbabwe middle order crumbled against the relentless pace attack. Codi Yusuf claimed two quick wickets, sending Wessly Madhevere and Tafadzwa Tsiga back cheaply. Corbin Bosch mopped up the tail, dismissing Kundai Matigimu and Blessing Muzarabani for ducks.
Though the last-wicket partnership between Wellington Masakadza (17\*) and Tanaka Chivanga (22) offered brief resistance, the result was never in doubt. Fittingly, Muthusamy delivered the final blow to seal South Africa’s historic win.
Reflecting on the victory, Mulder praised his teammates while acknowledging the challenge of keeping his place when senior players return.
I just want to play, whatever the role. The coach makes the decision. We go to the subcontinent from here — my role might change — but I just want to perform. A lot of guys put up their hand... everyone contributed in their ways and that’s good to see for South African cricket.
Despite the heavy defeat, Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine found reasons for optimism. “There were a lot of positives we took out of the first Test, hoping to rectify our mistakes, but the second Test didn’t go as planned,” he admitted.
“It’s not easy for the group when you lose your premier opener in Brian Bennett. Prince went down with the flu. Myers unfortunately didn’t take his chance. Guys definitely got an opportunity, including myself. Sean Williams scored big in the first Test — and if you want to do well, you need big hundreds. The youngsters need to learn from him. There are a lot of lessons; the way South African bowlers grouped, we can learn from that.”
The teams will now turn their attention to a three-nation T20 International series, with New Zealand joining as the third side.
Brief Scores: South Africa 626/5 decl beat Zimbabwe 170 & 220 in 77.3 overs (Nick Welch 55, Craig Ervine 49; Corbin Bosch 4-38, Senuran Muthusamy 3-77) by an innings and 236 runs.
