That brings us to the end of the Test series, and now the focus shifts to the upcoming white-ball challenge. The ODI tri-series begins on Monday, 14 July 2025, in Harare, where New Zealand will join Zimbabwe and South Africa. The first match of the series will be between Zimbabwe and South Africa, and it starts at 11 am GMT. But you can join us an hour before for all the pre-match build-up. Until then, take care! CIAO!

And now, Wiaan Mulder lifts the trophy high with a big smile, and the entire South African team rushes in to join the celebration. Cheers, laughter, and applause fill the air as they gather behind the 'Winners' board for the official photo. It's a moment of pride and joy, reflecting their dominant performance throughout the Test. 

The skipper of South Africa, Wiaan Mulder, is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH AND PLAYER OF THE SERIES for his impressive all-around performances. He says that it feels super special, something he dreamt of as a young boy, to captain his country, and to do it successfully makes it even more meaningful. Calls it the greatest honour for any cricketer and says he’s incredibly proud to have made his team, family, and country proud. Reflecting on the first Test, he admits to being disappointed with how he got out, especially after feeling well set, taking a risk going toward the longer boundary, and missing out on what could have been more runs. Coming into this second Test, his focus was on staying present, doing his job ball by ball, and letting the results take care of themselves, and he’s happy it all came together. Emphasises that his mindset is simple - he just wants to play and contribute, regardless of the role, leaving the decisions to coach Shukri Conrad. Mulder also takes time to highlight how several players stepped up across the series, mentioning someone like Codi Yusuf, who has performed consistently at the domestic level and finally showed his quality at the international stage. Also praises Prenelan Subrayen and others for contributing in their own ways, underlining how this collective effort bodes well for the future of South African cricket. Ends by saying this team is growing, learning, and building something strong, and he’s just grateful to be a part of it.

The skipper of Zimbabwe, Craig Ervine, reflects honestly on the series. He says there were plenty of positives to take from the first Test, and while they came in hoping to fix their mistakes, the second Test didn’t go according to plan, and there’s still a lot of work ahead. Admits losing key players like Brian Bennett and Prince Masvaure, due to injury and illness, was tough on the group, and it added pressure. Notes that players like Dion Myers had opportunities but couldn’t quite make them count, including himself. Praises Sean Williams for his big hundred in the first Test, calling him a crucial part of the batting line-up, especially for how he takes on spin and keeps the scoreboard moving. Ervine adds that younger players need to watch and learn from him, as he still has a few good years left. Highlights the discipline of the South African bowlers and the controlled tempo of Wiaan Mulder’s innings as lessons to take forward. Ends by saying it’s time for the team to step up and show results on the field - enough talk, now it’s about action. Also gives a hopeful update that Bennett should be fit soon.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

This Test match is a clear reflection of South Africa’s growing strength in red-ball cricket, just after winning the final of the last WTC. Wiaan Mulder led the side from the front with a sensational double hundred and smart captaincy, while the team executed plans to perfection. From intent-filled batting to disciplined bowling and sharp fielding, it was a near-flawless display. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will take away some positives like Williams' and Welch’s knocks, but they have plenty of work to do heading into the white-ball series.

South Africa's bowlers were top-class throughout. Codi Yusuf and Corbin Bosch consistently provided early breakthroughs with the new ball. Muthusamy and Subrayen controlled the middle overs with spin, and Mulder chipped in with key wickets at important moments. It was a complete bowling performance, with each of the five bowlers making a contribution. Even on a good surface for batting, South Africa’s accuracy and discipline stood out and kept Zimbabwe under pressure at all times.

In their second innings, Zimbabwe started with more intent. Kaitano redeemed himself with a fluent 40, and Nick Welch struck a well-made 55, combining with captain Craig Ervine to take the game deep into Day 3. But just as they looked set to resist longer, wickets began to fall again. Mulder struck first after lunch, then came twin blows from Corbin Bosch, who finished with a brilliant 4-wicket haul. Muthusamy mopped up the tail with three wickets, and despite late cameos from Masakadza and Chivanga for the last wicket, Zimbabwe were all out for 220.

Day 2 continued to favour South Africa, as Zimbabwe crumbled under pressure in their first innings. Takudzwanashe Kaitano fell on the very first ball, and by tea, six wickets were already down. Prenelan Subrayen spun a web around the lower order and ended with four wickets, while Mulder, Bosch, and Yusuf shared the rest. Only Sean Williams managed to push back, playing a blistering knock of 83 from just 55 deliveries. However, the team total of 170 was very far from anything, and the follow-on was inevitable.

Day 1 belonged entirely to South Africa. Despite losing two quick wickets early, Mulder and David Bedingham turned the tide with a big stand. Then came a record-breaking partnership between Mulder and Lhuan-dre Pretorius, followed by another flurry of runs from Brevis and Verreynne. Mulder reached his triple ton with ease and eventually declared the innings closed at lunch on Day 2, unbeaten on 367. Zimbabwe's bowlers looked exhausted by then, with no one managing to maintain control or consistency over a long spell.

Zimbabwe, in response, were never really in the game. Their first innings lasted only 43 overs, as they folded for 170 despite a fighting 83 unbeaten from Sean Williams. Asked to follow on, they showed a little more resolve in the second innings, reaching 220. Nick Welch and Craig Ervine led a brief recovery, but South Africa’s bowlers continued to chip away. The result was never in doubt after the first session of Day 2, and by late afternoon on Day 3, the match came to a close.

South Africa have wrapped up this 2nd Test in emphatic style, beating Zimbabwe by an innings and 236 runs to complete a dominant performance and that too, in just three days. They have done a clean sweep in this 2-match series by winning both matches. From the moment Wiaan Mulder took charge with the bat on Day 1, South Africa hardly put a foot wrong. They declared their innings on 626/5, thanks largely to Mulder’s career-best 367 not out, and then went on to dismantle Zimbabwe’s batting lineup twice in under two days. The margin of victory speaks volumes of the gulf between the two sides across all departments.