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Wiaan Mulder’s 147 Powers South Africa to Commanding Position, Sets Zimbabwe 537-Run Target
South Africa Tightens Grip on First Test in Bulawayo
South Africa delivered a dominant performance on Day 3 of the first Test in Bulawayo, setting Zimbabwe a daunting fourth-innings target of 537 runs. The visitors were propelled by Wiaan Mulder’s career-best 147 and a brisk fifty from stand-in captain Keshav Maharaj, which helped post a strong second-innings total of 369. At stumps, Zimbabwe were struggling at 32/1.
The day began with South Africa resuming on 49/1. Mulder and Tony de Zorzi played positively early on, but their 63-run partnership ended when de Zorzi edged Tanaka Chivanga to second slip. Despite multiple close calls, Mulder continued with confidence and found an able partner in David Bedingham. With Zimbabwe’s lead pacer Blessing Muzarabani off the field due to illness, South Africa capitalized on the weakened bowling attack.
Mulder, Bedingham Steer the Middle Order
Zimbabwe’s Thin Bowling Attack Exposed
Mulder and Bedingham scored at a quick rate, with both batters targeting the spin of Wellington Masakadza. Bedingham pulled a six off Masakadza, and Mulder followed suit by dispatching a short ball over the boundary. Their partnership added 72 valuable runs before Bedingham fell trying to clear deep midwicket.
However, Zimbabwe struck twice in quick succession. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, fresh off a century in the first innings, was bowled by Vincent Masekesa, while Dewald Brevis was dismissed by the same bowler for just 6. South Africa were reduced to 155/5, but Mulder held firm, bringing up his century just before lunch with a boundary off Chivanga.
Mulder’s Century Anchors the Innings
Mulder continued to dominate post-lunch, forging a crucial 100-run partnership with Kyle Verreynne. The pair maintained a solid scoring rate and took the lead well past the 400-run mark. Mulder struck his second six of the innings and appeared set for a 150 but was dismissed for 147, caught at deep midwicket off Wessly Madhevere.
Verreynne edged to slip shortly after for 36. At 314/7, Keshav Maharaj and Corbin Bosch launched a counterattack, adding quick runs with seven boundaries and a six between them to push the lead past 500 before the tea break.
Lower Order Extends the Lead Past 500
Maharaj’s Fifty and Zimbabwe’s Late Comeback
Maharaj brought up his fifty early in the final session, continuing the Proteas’ charge. Zimbabwe struck back with Masakadza removing Bosch (bowled on a sweep) and Maharaj (bowled while charging down). Muzarabani returned just before tea and picked up the final wicket by castling Maphaka, though he was earlier denied Bosch’s wicket due to overstepping.
With South Africa finishing on 369 in the second innings, the target for Zimbabwe was an improbable 537 runs.
Zimbabwe’s Struggle Begins Under the Lights
Openers Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Prince Masvaure faced a challenging spell in the final session. The South African pacers created multiple chances, and Maharaj nearly broke through when Masvaure edged one to short leg, but de Zorzi couldn’t hold on. Kaitano was eventually dismissed in the final over of the day, edging Corbin Bosch to the slips.
South Africa ended Day 3 with complete control, needing just nine more wickets to wrap up the Test.
Match Summary
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South Africa: 418/9 decl. & 369
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Zimbabwe: 251 & 32/1
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Top Performers:
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Wiaan Mulder – 147
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Keshav Maharaj – 51
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Wellington Masakadza – 4/98
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Corbin Bosch – 1/1
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With just two days left in the Test, Zimbabwe’s only realistic goal may be to survive as long as possible on a deteriorating pitch, as South Africa chase a dominant victory in their 2025 World Test Championship campaign.
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