Final result
South Africa Cricket won by 328 runs
Player of the match: LG Pretorius
Result · Test Cricket
South Africa Cricket vs Zimbabwe Cricket
Result · Test Cricket
Venue par · 212Chase success · 39%POTM · LG Pretorius
Match preview & overview
South Africa crush Zimbabwe by 328 runs in Bulawayo Test
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328 runs in the Test match played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, on 28 June 2025. South Africa Cricket won the toss, chose to bat, and posted 418/9 in their first innings. Zimbabwe replied with 251 all out. South Africa then declared their second innings on 369 all out, leaving Zimbabwe requiring 337 to win. The hosts were bowled out for 208, handing South Africa a comfortable victory. LG Pretorius took the player of the match award. The result extended South Africa's head-to-head record against Zimbabwe to 39 wins from 40 meetings.
PWA Mulder's 164 off 253 balls was the innings that defined the match. South Africa's first-innings total of 418/9 was almost double the ground's historical average of 212 across 46 Tests at this venue, and it gave their bowlers a platform they were never going to surrender. Zimbabwe's two innings of 251 and 208 were not insubstantial on paper, but they came in entirely different contexts: the first as a side already behind, the second as one needing 337 just to draw level.
Pitch report & venue insights
Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo — 46-match sample
Aggregate conditions from 2002–2025. Numbers that tend to decide matches at this ground — par score, chase success, powerplay averages and toss bias.
46
T20 matches hosted
212
Avg 1st-innings score
186
Avg 2nd-innings score
39%
Chase success rate
37
Avg powerplay runs
43%
Toss-field rate
Key talking points
Moments the match hinged on
Headline angle
Mulder's 164 anchors South Africa's first innings
PWA Mulder scored 164 off 253 balls to provide the backbone of South Africa's 418/9 declared. His innings was more than twice the venue's average first-innings score of 212, underlining just how difficult Zimbabwe's task was from the outset.
Angle 02
Zimbabwe's batting twice fell well short
Angle 03
Queens Sports Club played above its averages
Angle 04
South Africa's head-to-head record remains extraordinary
Angle 05
Toss winner batted; the pitch rewarded it
Key players
Players who decided it
South Africa Cricket
PWA Mulder
Zimbabwe Cricket
B Muzarabani
South Africa Cricket
LG Pretorius
Zimbabwe Cricket
RW Price
Betting & analytical angles
Angles the data surfaced
- Top batter markets may offer more granularity than outright result lines in such a one-sided head-to-head, where South Africa's dominance compresses result market value.
- First-innings total markets are worth considering at Queens Sports Club: the average first-innings score is only 212 across 46 Tests, so any side with quality batting can outperform that benchmark significantly.
- Player of the match markets in fixtures featuring Mulder are worth tracking; he now has two strong individual performances at this venue in recent years.
- With a chase success rate of just 38 per cent at this ground, toss-related markets and innings-by-innings scoring lines may carry more editorial interest than the match result.
For editorial context only. Not a forecast and not betting advice. 18+ only, please gamble responsibly.
Frequently asked
Questions about South Africa Cricket vs Zimbabwe Cricket
What was the result of the South Africa v Zimbabwe Test in Bulawayo 2025?
South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 328 runs at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo. South Africa scored 418/9 and 369 all out, while Zimbabwe were bowled out for 251 and 208.
Who won player of the match in the Bulawayo Test?
LG Pretorius was named player of the match. PWA Mulder also played a pivotal role, scoring 164 off 253 balls in the first innings.
What is South Africa's head-to-head record against Zimbabwe?
South Africa have won 39 of their 40 meetings with Zimbabwe, with one no-result and no losses. It is one of the most one-sided bilateral records in international cricket.
Where to watch South Africa v Zimbabwe Test cricket in the UK?
Test matches involving South Africa are typically broadcast on Sky Sports Cricket in the UK, with streaming available through Sky Go and NOW TV. BBC Test Match Special provides radio commentary for selected matches.
What is Queens Sports Club like as a Test venue?
Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo has hosted 46 Test matches. The average first-innings score is 212 and the average second-innings score is 186, making it a ground where large totals are not the norm. Sides batting first win more often, with the chase success rate sitting at just 38 per cent.
How has Zimbabwe been performing in Tests recently?
Zimbabwe's recent Test record in 2025 includes losses to England and Bangladesh, one win against Bangladesh, a no-result against Ireland, and a win over Ireland. Their form coming into this match was mixed, and the gap in class against South Africa proved decisive.
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