Zimbabwe Test squad for series against South Africa announced

Zimbabwe have announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming two-match Test series against the newly crowned ICC World Test Championship winners, South Africa, which will get underway next week at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

The first Test between Zimbabwe and South Africa will be played from June 28 to July 2, followed by the second and final Test from July 6 to 10 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. They recently faced each other in a warm-up match for the Proteas ahead of the WTC Final 2025 against Australia.

Kundai Matigimu gets maiden Test call-up for South Africa Tests

Craig Ervine will captain Zimbabwe against the WTC winners at home, as they look to build on the positives from their recent tour of England, where they played a historic one-off Test match at Trent Bridge. Kundai Matigimu has been handed his maiden Test call-up for the home Test series.

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The uncapped 27-year-old seamer Matigimu earned the maiden Test call-up due to the unavailability of key pacer Richard Ngarava, who is recovering from a lower back injury. Star batter Ben Curran has also been ruled out of the two-match Test series due to a fractured finger.

On the other hand, Victor Nyauchi has been left out for tactical reasons. Meanwhile, the Test squad also features some key returns and exciting talent across departments for the home series. Prince Masvaure and Takudzwanashe Kaitano are back on the side to strengthen the top order.

Read Also: Cheteshwar Pujara shockingly joins Team India in England at the 11th hour

Blessing Muzarabani to lead Zimbabwe pace attack

Masvaure and Kaitano’s presence will provide depth and experience to the side. In the spin department, leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa has earned a recall, giving the team more variety. Trevor Gwandu, who missed the England tour due to a groin injury, is fully fit and returns to boost the pace attack. Blessing Muzarabani, who is in excellent form, will lead the pace attack.

Notably, Blessing Muzarabani recently became the joint-fastest Zimbabwean to reach 50 Test wickets, and he was also picked by IPL 2025 champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Brian Bennett to be a player to watch out for in the ZIM vs SA Test series

Coming back to the squad, the middle order will be anchored by the experienced batter Sean Williams, while young sensation Brian Bennett will look to carry forward his momentum.

Bennett impressed in the recent one-off Test against England by scoring Zimbabwe’s fastest century in the longest format of the game, and he will be one to watch in this high-profile home series against the Proteas side at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

Well, South Africa is coming into the Test series full of confidence after winning the ICC World Test Championship against Australia at Lord's, while the Chevrons will be hoping to put up a strong fight in front of their home fans in Bulawayo in the upcoming games.

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

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Zimbabwe name Test squad to face world champions South Africa

Details 🔽https://t.co/hOKc9D1TQH pic.twitter.com/aoZxk1J2Ok

— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) June 19, 2025