Lhuan-dre Pretorius announced himself on the international stage by becoming the youngest South African to score a Test century on debut during the opening day of the first ZIM vs SA 2025 Test match in Bulawayo on Saturday.
At just 19 years and 93 days, Lhuan-dre Pretorius reached his maiden hundred in 113 balls and went on to hammer 153 off 160. His knock included 11 fours and four sixes, struck at an impressive strike rate of 95.62.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius also became the youngest player in Test history to score 150 on debut, breaking a record previously held by Pakistan’s Javed Miandad, who was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 against New Zealand in 1976.
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A part of the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2025, Pretorius broke the record of being the youngest South African to score a century, previously held by Graeme Pollock, who was 19 years and 317 days old when he scored 122 against Australia in 1964 in Sydney.
Before his knock on Saturday, Pretorius had three hundreds and a fifty in seven first-class games with a highest score of 120.
Overall, he is the seventh South African to make a Test hundred on debut and the first since Stephen Cook in 2016.
Walking in at No. 5 with the South Africa cricket team reeling at 23/3 after opting to bat first, the 19-year-old left-hander turned the tide with a fearless counter-attacking innings.
Pretorius wasted no time asserting himself at the crease by dispatching a six off the fourth ball that he faced before hitting a four on the next delivery. The young batter raced to a 53-ball fifty and kept the scoreboard ticking with ease.
His knock helped pull South Africa out of the early trouble as Pretorius, alongside Dewald Brevis, put on a brisk 95-run partnership off just 88 balls for the fifth wicket.
Despite Dewald Brevis’ departure, Pretorius continued to score runs at a brisk pace.
He brought up his hundred after lunch and 150 post-tea while being accompanied at the crease by Corbin Bosch with whom Pretorius stitched together a 108-run stand.
Pretorius was eventually dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga but not before altering the course of the match by putting South Africa in a commanding position.
His international teammate Kwena Maphaka, who was also part of the Rajasthan Royals squad in IPL 2025, will be seen bowling in the match later.
