Wiaan Mulder to lead depleted South Africa against Zimbabwe

Following their dominant first Test victory, South Africa faces a new challenge — Keshav Maharaj is out with a groin injury for the second match against Zimbabwe.

Wiaan Mulder — who has never captained at first-class cricket level — has been appointed to lead the team now missing key players like Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada.

However, South Africa’s young generation impressed in the first Test:

• Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 153 runs
• Corbin Bosch achieved a century and five wickets
• Dewald Brevis made 51 runs from 41 balls in his Test debut

Zimbabwe will rely on Sean Williams‘ experience who recorded 137 runs in the first Test with an average of 68.22 since 2020. Captain Craig Ervine needs to perform better after only scoring 36 and 49 runs in the previous match.

“Williams’ simple but effective technique makes him Zimbabwe’s best player against spin bowling,” noted a local cricket analyst.

The Queens’ Sports Club pitch conditions are expected to favor pace bowlers over spinners — with cold temperatures potentially dropping to 13 degrees Celsius.