Historic! Lhuan-dre Pretorious breaks 61-year record, becomes youngest South African centurion on Test debut

Teenage batting sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorious etched his name into South African cricket history on Saturday, becoming the youngest ever South African to score a Test century on debut.

The 19-year-old achieved the feat during the first Test against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, breaking a 61-year-old record held by the legendary Graeme Pollock.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Coming to the crease with South Africa reeling at 23 for 3, Pretorious displayed nerves of steel and a fearless approach, smashing an unbeaten 128 off just 141 deliveries by the end of the second session. His innings, laced with seven fours and four sixes, came at a brisk strike rate of 90.78 and helped steady a new-look Proteas side in early trouble.The young right-hander surpassed Pollock’s long-standing milestone — set in 1964 when the iconic left-hander scored a century at 19 years and 317 days against Australia in Sydney. Pretorious, at just 19 years and 93 days, has now become the youngest centurion for South Africa in Test cricket.

He also stitched together a crucial 95-run partnership for the fifth wicket with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, who made an explosive 51 off 41 balls, including three fours and four sixes.

Pretorious had been knocking on the national door after a stellar domestic season. He scored 436 runs in five matches during the 2024/25 CSA 4-Day Series at an average of 72.66, including three centuries. He had also impressed in the SA20 league earlier this year, scoring 397 runs in 12 matches for the Paarl Royals.At tea, South Africa reached 248 for 6, with Pretorious (128*) and Corbin Bosch (22*) holding the fort.