🏏 South Africa vs Zimbabwe – 1st Test Match Preview | WTC 2025-2027

Hello friends,
In this blog, we’ll talk about the upcoming 1st Test match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, which marks the beginning of their journey in the World Test Championship 2025–2027 cycle. This is a two-match Test series hosted by Zimbabwe.

Talking about recent form:

• South Africa are coming in hot after defeating Australia in the WTC Final held on 11th June 2025.
• Zimbabwe, on the other hand, recently played a one-off Test in England and lost by an innings and 45 runs.

The match will be played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo – a venue known to help bowlers.

• 🧤 Average first innings score: 290
• 🥎 Last 5 Tests stats:
  • Total wickets: 152
  • Pacers: 72 wickets
  • Spinners: 80 wickets

➡️ Slight advantage to spinners
Captains usually prefer to bat first, as the pitch becomes more difficult over the days and helps spinners later. Choosing quality spinners in your fantasy team can be a game-changer.

South Africa:

• T de Zorzi
• M Breetzke
• L Pretorius
• D Brevis
• D Bedingham
• W Mulder
• K Verreynne (WK)
• K Maharaj
• C Yusuf
• C Bosch
• K Maphaka

👉 Note: Key players like A Markram, K Rabada, and T Bavuma are rested after the WTC final.

Zimbabwe:

• C Ervine
• B Bennett
• P Masvaure
• S Williams
• N Welch
• C Madande (WK)
• W Madhevere
• V Masekesa
• K Matigimu
• B Muzarabani
• T Gwandu

📝 Note: These are likely playing XIs. Final teams will be announced after the toss.

Even though South Africa are fielding a young and new squad, they still hold the upper hand. However, Zimbabwe’s experienced players like Sean Williams, Bennett, and Muzarabani could surprise.

✅ Prediction: South Africa to win and take a 1–0 lead in the series.

Sean Williams

B Bennett

M Breetzke

D Brevis

W Masakadza

B Muzarabani

K Maharaj

K Maphaka

T de Zorzi

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