Cricket Prediction | ZIM vs SA | South Africa tour of Zimbabwe 2025 | 2nd Test | July 06 – Can ZIM Stun the Proteas?

ZIM vs SA Match Analysis

Zimbabwe and South Africa are set to face off in the second Test at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo, beginning July 6, 2025. With South Africa leading the series 1-0, Zimbabwe will be desperate to bounce back and level the contest.

Zimbabwe showed moments of resilience in the first Test but was ultimately outclassed by South Africa’s superior batting and bowling units. With experienced players like Sean Williams and Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe will be banking on their senior core to steady the ship.

South Africa dominated the opening Test with commanding performances from both their top-order batters and pace attack. Wiaan Mulder’s leadership and all-round ability have brought fresh energy into the squad.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa Team Preview & Squads

Zimbabwe

Craig Ervine, the seasoned campaigner, leads ZIM with experience and calm under pressure. Known for his dependable middle-order batting, Ervine will need to anchor the innings if Zimbabwe hopes to post competitive totals.

With Williams and Ervine laying the concrete, Brian Bennett brought the sparks that lit up the structure. Nick Welch and Wessly Madhevere add flair, but consistency remains a concern. The lower order hasn’t contributed much, leaving the side vulnerable once top wickets fall.

Blessing Muzarabani continues to be Zimbabwe’s strike weapon, but he lacks consistent support from the other end. Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga have shown glimpses of ability but lacked penetration in the first Test.

In the first Test at Bulawayo, South Africa posted a massive 418/9 declared in the first innings and followed it up with 369 in the second. ZIM was bundled out for 251 in the first innings and crumbled to 208 in the second, chasing a daunting 537-run target. South Africa sealed the game by a huge margin of 328 runs, exposing Zimbabwe’s fragile batting and lack of bowling bite.

Zimbabwe Squad

Zimbabwe Squad

Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Prince Masvaure, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga (wk), Nick Welch, Sean Williams.

South Africa

Wiaan Mulder has taken up the captaincy role with confidence and maturity. His all-round contributions in the first Test proved vital in South Africa’s dominance. A tactically sound leader, Mulder seems to be thriving both as a cricketer and strategist.

SA batting unit was clinical in the first Test, with key knocks from David Bedingham and Tony de Zorzi. Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke provide youthful aggression, while Kyle Verreynne offers stability behind the stumps. With solid contributions throughout the order, the Proteas boast a deep and formidable lineup.

The Protea’s pace attack led by Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka looked threatening throughout the Test. Prenelan Subrayen added spin variety, while Muthusamy and Yusuf chipped in with crucial overs. This well-balanced attack can adapt across conditions, making it a tough challenge for Zimbabwe.

SA had a commanding victory in the opening Test across both batting and bowling. They declared their first innings at 418 for 9 and amassed a rapid unbeaten 369 in the second. Their bowlers controlled Zimbabwe’s innings, limiting them to 251 and 208, as they cruised to a 328-run win. The clinical effort meant that they were now in control for the rest of the series.

South Africa Squad

South Africa Squad

Wiaan Mulder (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Codi Yusuf, Tony de Zorzi, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Zubayr Hamza.

ZIM vs SA Outfield Report

Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo

In the early phases, the Bulawayo pitch offers plenty for batters, making it ideal for attacking cricket. As the game progresses, cracks begin to open up, making batting tougher and spinners more effective. Expect good carry for the pacers on Days 1 and 2 and turn for spinners from Day 3 onwards.

The forecast for Bulawayo looks promising with clear skies and minimal rain interruptions. Daytime temperatures are expected to hover around 24–26°C, with cool mornings and breezy afternoons likely to assist seamers. Humidity remains moderate, which may aid swing bowling early on.

At Queens Sports Club, first-innings score above 350 are common, but anything under 250 puts teams under immediate pressure. The highest Test score here is 497, while totals below 200 have often led to innings defeats. A team batting first should aim for 350+, while chasing anything over 275 in the fourth innings will be extremely challenging.

Zimbabwe vs South Africa Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches

South Africa has been dominant in their recent encounters with Zimbabwe, winning all of the last five Tests between the two sides.

ZIM vs SA Prediction

According to cricket analysts South Africa have a 58% chance of Winning.