19-year-old sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius has just etched his name in cricket history books, becoming the youngest South African to score a Test century on his debut match against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
The teenage left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman reached his maiden century off just 113 balls during the second session of Day 1, smashing a record that stood for over 60 years.
Table of Contents
Record-Breaking Achievement Table
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 years, 93 days |
| Previous Record Holder | Graeme Pollock (19 years, 317 days) |
| Century Ball | 113th ball faced |
| Final Score at Tea | 128* off 141 balls |
| Boundaries | 7 fours, 4 sixes |
| Partnership with Brevis | 95 runs off 88 balls |
From WTC Champions to New Star
This remarkable debut comes in South Africa’s first Test match since their historic World Test Championship (WTC) victory over Australia at Lord’s, where they claimed their first major ICC title since 1998. The Proteas were in trouble at 55/4 when Pretorius walked in, but the teenager showed nerves of steel.
What Makes This Special:
- Seventh South African to score a century on Test debut
- Broke Graeme Pollock’s 61-year-old record from 1964
- Also the youngest Test centurion on debut for South Africa
- Fast-tracked after stellar CSA 4-Day Series performance
Journey to the Top
The talented keeper-batsman’s rise has been meteoric. A product of South Africa’s elite school system, Pretorius was the leading run-scorer at the 2023 Under-19 World Cup and made headlines with a career-best 97 on his T20 franchise debut for Paarl Royals.
His domestic form was exceptional – three centuries in five first-class games with an impressive average of 72.66, including a crucial 114 in the final that secured a draw.
Elite Company
Pretorius joins an exclusive club of South Africans who’ve scored centuries on Test debut:
Complete List of SA Debut Centurions:
- Andrew Hudson – 163 vs West Indies (1992)
- Jacques Rudolph – 222* vs Bangladesh (2003)
- Alviro Petersen – 100 vs India (2010)
- Faf du Plessis – 110* vs Australia (2012)
- Stiaan van Zyl – 101* vs West Indies (2014)
- Stephen Cook – 115 vs England (2016)
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius – 109 vs Zimbabwe (2025)*
Partnership That Turned the Game
The breakthrough moment came during his explosive partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis (51 off 41 balls). The duo shared a 95-run partnership off just 88 balls, transforming South Africa’s position from a precarious 55/4 to a commanding total.
What’s Next for the Prodigy?
With this stunning debut, Pretorius has announced himself as a future star of South African cricket. His fearless approach and natural talent suggest he could be a cornerstone of the Proteas’ batting lineup for years to come.
The teen sensation’s knock not only secured his place in cricket folklore but also continued South Africa’s golden period following their WTC triumph. At just 19, Pretorius has shown he belongs on the biggest stage.
Remember the name – Lhuan-dre Pretorius. This is just the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary career.
