South Africa playing XI for 2nd Test against Zimbabwe announced; Wiaan Mulder to lead, 2 debutants included

South Africa have announced their playing XI for the second and final Test against Zimbabwe. They are already leading the two-match Test series 1-0, and now they look to clean sweep the hosts Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Keshav Maharaj was named the Proteas captain for the ongoing Test series in Zimbabwe after Temba Bavuma was ruled out of the tour due to an injury. Unfortunately, the seasoned spinner also sustained a groin injury while batting in the first and was ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe.

Wiaan Mulder to captain South Africa in second Test against Zimbabwe

Now, in Keshav Maharaj’s absence, Wiaan Mulder will take over the captaincy duties, leading a young South Africa side as they aim to wrap up the two-match Test series on a high. The final test will begin on Sunday, July 6, at the Queen’s Sports Club Cricket Ground in Bulawayo.

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Meanwhile, the young off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen and domestic cricket hero Lesego Senokwane are all set to make their Test debuts for South Africa in the second Test against Zimbabwe. Subrayen is an experienced red-ball all-rounder with 77 games under his belt.

Who are Prenelan Subrayen and Lesego Senokwane?

The right-handed batter has 1595 runs with one century and seven fifties and 242 wickets to his name in first-class cricket with his off-spin. The 31-year-old has also played 101 List-A games, where he has 933 runs and 96 wickets to his name. He also scored 492 runs and scalped 110 wickets in 120 T20s so far.

On the other hand, Lesego Senokwane has 2654 runs in 51 first-class matches and 1261 runs in 55 List-A matches. The right-handed middle-order batter also has 491 runs in 37 T20s to his name so far. The 28-year-old is also a handy off-spinner, taking 14 wickets in red-ball cricket.

Well, the rest of the lineup is the same as the one that won the first Test. Well, Tony de Zorzi will have a new opening partner in debutant Lesego Senokwane, followed by Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. Kyle Verreynne will do the wicketkeeping duties in the all-rounder-loaded side.

🔥 TEAM NEWS 🔥

Wiaan Mulder will lead the Proteas Men as captain in the second and final Test match of the Zimbabwean series. 🧢🇿🇦

A proud moment as Prenelan Subrayen and Lesego Senokwane are set to make their Test debuts. 🏏✨

A fresh chapter in South African cricket as our… pic.twitter.com/C9bPvlAhvZ

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) July 5, 2025

South Africa eyes clean sweep, spin could decide the game

After crushing Zimbabwe by a massive 328-run margin in the first Test, South Africa will head into the second and final match as clear favorites. Big centuries from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Wiaan Mulder powered the Proteas to a dominant win over the hosts.

Read Also: Watch: Josh Tongue uproots KL Rahul's middle stump with a beauty in Edgbaston Test

With confidence sky-high, South Africa will aim to whitewash Craig Ervine’s side before shifting focus to the upcoming tri-nation T20I series featuring New Zealand. With cold weather in Bulawayo, seamers may dominate early at Queens Sports Club, like in the first Test.

However, the pitch will likely slowdown from Day 3, bringing spinners into action. Winning the toss and batting first could give the team a strong advantage in the final test.

South Africa’s Playing XI for 2nd Test against Zimbabwe:

Tony de Zorzi, Lesego Senokwane, Wiaan Mulder (C), David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Prenelan Subrayen, Codi Yusuf.