A hopelessly one-sided contest came to a swift end inside two sessions on the third day, as South Africa romped to an innings and 236-run victory over Zimbabwe to seal a 2-0 series sweep. In a match that starkly highlighted the gulf between the two sides, Wiaan Mulder’s individual score of 367* nearly outstripped Zimbabwe’s combined total across both innings.
The defeat was Zimbabwe’s heaviest by runs in Test cricket, eclipsing the margin set just days earlier in the first Test of the series. South Africa, meanwhile, notched up their tenth consecutive Test win, including their triumph over Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final last month.
A Mismatch from the Start
Zimbabwe resumed day three on 46 for 1, trailing by a daunting 405 runs, and never seriously threatened to extend the match beyond the day. Despite a dogged start from overnight batters Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Nick Welch, the introduction of spin quickly unravelled any resistance.
Senuran Muthusamy broke through in his first over, with Kaitano chipping to cover for 40. Welch, meanwhile, battled his way to a gritty 55, mixing caution with brief flashes of aggression — including two sixes off Muthusamy — but fell shortly after lunch, edging to slip to trigger a collapse.
From a relatively stable 153 for 3, Zimbabwe crumbled to 184 for 9, losing six wickets for just 31 runs after the interval. Codi Yusuf and Corbin Bosch ran through the middle and lower order, ably supported by spin and the ever-present threat of Mulder.
Frustrating Delay, Inevitably Ended
Only a defiant tenth-wicket stand between Wellington Masakadza and Tanaka Chivanga delayed the inevitable, as the pair added some late runs and frustration for the Proteas. Masakadza survived an edge that trickled for four and a tight stumping review, while Chivanga played freely for his 22 off 26, including a six.
Fittingly, the match ended when Muthusamy had Chivanga top-edge to slip — with Mulder, South Africa’s stand-in captain, taking the catch.
Mulder the Man of the Moment
Wiaan Mulder was the undisputed star of the series, earning both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honours. His unbeaten 367 in the first innings was the bedrock of South Africa’s dominance, while his seven wickets across the series demonstrated his growing all-round credentials.
“This was a complete team performance,” Mulder said at the post-match presentation. “We stuck to our plans and executed really well. It’s a proud moment for us as a team.”
Zimbabwe in Crisis
For Zimbabwe, the series highlighted serious structural issues, both with the bat and ball. Apart from brief resistance from Welch and Ervine — who scored 55 and 49 respectively in the second innings — no batter showed the temperament or technique required at Test level. Their inability to bat 70 overs in either innings underscored the depth of the crisis.
Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton admitted the performance was “well below expectations” and called for urgent reassessment: “This is not the standard we want to represent. There’s a lot of hard work ahead.”
Looking Ahead
South Africa leave Bulawayo with momentum and confidence, having shown both ruthless efficiency and squad depth. With Mulder leading the charge and the likes of Yusuf, Bosch and Muthusamy impressing, the Proteas appear well-placed for future challenges.
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, are left searching for answers after a demoralising series whitewash, and must now regroup quickly before their upcoming assignments — or risk further damage to their Test standing.