Fans erupt as Wiaan Mulder’s 367* and Prenelan Subrayen’s 4-fer put South Africa in command on Day 2 of second Test against Zimbabwe

South Africa firmly tightened their grip on the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, courtesy of a record-shattering 367 not out from Wiaan Mulder.

Wiaan Mulder’s batting brilliance put South Africa on top

Resuming the day on 264*, Mulder went past several milestones en route to the highest-ever score by a South African in Test cricket, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311*. He reached his triple century off just 297 balls—making it the second-fastest in history—before launching into a flurry of strokes that took him to 367 by Lunch. Despite being just 34 runs short of Brian Lara’s all-time record, Mulder opted to declare the innings, prioritizing team dominance over personal milestones. South Africa ended their innings on a colossal 626/5.

Zimbabwe falter under scoreboard pressure

Faced with a mountain of runs, Zimbabwe’s response was underwhelming. They stumbled early and were eventually bundled out for just 170. Sean Williams, battling illness, was the lone fighter, smashing a counter-attacking 83* off 55 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes. However, the rest of the lineup failed to support him against a disciplined South African attack. Debutant spinner Prenelan Subrayen made an immediate impact, claiming four wickets, while Mulder added two more to his dream day with the ball.

Also READ: ZIM vs SA: Wiaan Mulder reveals why he didn’t break Brian Lara’s 400-run Test record

Hosts forced to follow-on; early setback in second innings

With a massive lead in hand, South Africa enforced the follow-on. Zimbabwe began their second innings with more determination, but the resistance was short-lived. The opening pair faced over nine overs before Dion Myers was castled by Corbin Bosch for 17. Takudzwanashe Kaitano managed to survive till the end of play, with Zimbabwe closing the day at 51/1, still 405 runs adrift and needing a miracle to avoid a crushing defeat.

From Mulder’s monumental knock to Subrayen’s dream debut, South Africa dominated all sessions of Day 2. Unless Zimbabwe produces something extraordinary on Day 3, the match is headed for a swift end. All eyes will be on whether South Africa can seal a comprehensive win or if the hosts can show some grit to stretch the contest further.

Here’s how fans reacted:

Can’t wear that declaration I’m sorry. His chance will likely never come up again. It’s only day 2, the game is already advanced because they scored so fast. It’s not even a WTC match! Watch Zim get rolled for under 150×2 and SA win by an innings&300 runs in 3 days 🫠 #ZIMvSA

— Stuart Mills (@sjmills101) July 7, 2025

Zimbabwe All out for 170 in Reply to South Africa’s 626/6

Sean Williams came in at 7 and blasted 83* (55)

Zimbabwe are following on with SA having a lead of 456 Runs.#ZIMvSA #SAvZIM pic.twitter.com/5uMHXyRP5C

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) July 7, 2025

Verdict’s out — most feel Mulder should’ve gone after Lara’s 400.
Given how Day 2 ended — Zimbabwe bowled out for 170 and now 51/1 following on — it does feel like a golden opportunity missed. https://t.co/wMO1WJEyZl

— lightningspeed (@lightningspeedk) July 8, 2025

Brian Lara’s test record score of 400* was in real danger last night until Wiaan Mulder declared at lunch on day 2 whilst undefeated on 367*.

Mulder respectfully decided against attempting to surpass the record out of respect for his legacy.

I personally didn’t want to see… pic.twitter.com/im7spDATlv

— Geraint Morris ⚡️🔋 (@TheWelshBull) July 8, 2025

Mulder declaring his innings on 367* at lunch Day 2 is a bitter pill to swallow. Then he comes and bowls the 9th over as well…
Massive respect, man…. But should have gone for a 400.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 https://t.co/UyZUZfCg4g

— Bibhishana Bhuyan, Ph.D (ଵିଭୀଷଣ ଭୂୟାଁ) (@B_Bhuyan7) July 7, 2025

Respect to Captain Wiaan Mulder! 🫡
What an incredible display of sportsmanship and strategic thinking from Captain Wiaan Mulder! On just the second day, with 34 runs separating him from a historic milestone, he’s chosen to declare. In a game where personal records 1/2 pic.twitter.com/yZwxD7JyTL

— Sudarshan Patil (@sudarshanp90) July 7, 2025

It would have taken not more than 10 overs for Mulder to bat and go past Lara’s record. And it was just Day 2 of the Test Match. Prioritizing the country over individual records??? Or a very bad decision in the end??? #ZIMvsSA

— ABS (@AbhiBSarda) July 7, 2025

That’s Subrayen 4 you 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/RW8EHfVWai

— Durban’s Super Giants (@DurbansSG) July 7, 2025

Standby for a record bowling performance from Prenelan Subrayen. Mark my words.

— Myron Naicker (@myronnaicker) July 7, 2025

So chuffed for my Glenwood brother Prenalen Subrayen… one of the good guys in cricket and someone who has dedicated a lot of time to their craft. Well done Subs!!! #Glenwood #GreenMachine

— Fiso Mazibuko (@fismaz007) July 7, 2025

Subrayen gets his 4th

Magnificent knock from Sean Williams 👏🏻

Zimbabwe all out for 170 in 43 over

Enough time for us to bat and give Mulder another go, a shot at putting things right

Oh

Zimbabwe will follow on

So 457 to make the Proteas bat again pic.twitter.com/fy18Bmc1b9

— Werner (@Werries_) July 7, 2025

There will be a special place for Wiaan Mulder in the Cricket History!!Cricket is not always about the numbers & trophies. Respecting teams, players & playing selfless cricket is the true essence of the game!!#Zimbabwe #SouthAfrica#Mulder #Kingdom #ZIMvSA
Video Credit:@ICC pic.twitter.com/8E6SJAkwOa

— Mohammed Rafi (@Rafi_mohammed1) July 8, 2025

Wiaan Mulder’s 367* – from no dreams of a double to rewriting history! 🙌
“Lara’s record is safe,” he says, but this knock was legendary in its own right. 🔥💯#ZIMvSA #MulderMagic pic.twitter.com/SHW70B5Q86

— Manzar B (@ManzarBwrites) July 8, 2025

From what I’ve seen in recent Tests — there’s a clear pitch shift.
West Indies pitches are greener & swinging a lot, making life tough for batters.
Meanwhile, England feels like a batting paradise — flat pitches, runs galore!#INDvsENGTest #ZIMvSA #Thala #Mulder #engvs

— Shivam (@ShivamS92427202) July 8, 2025

𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 🤩

Wiaan Mulder enters the history books with a stunning 367* against Zimbabwe 👏#ZIMvSA | ✍️: https://t.co/U1zcEk7NQ0#ICC pic.twitter.com/ns45SLHijG

— Vishnoi Babu Lal (@bvishnoi29) July 8, 2025

Hope he doesn’t go past 0 next time, that’ll be a great disservice to New Zealand legend Chris Martin. #ZIMvSA https://t.co/HAqGdCSJE7

— Pravir Singh (@Pravir21) July 8, 2025

pic.twitter.com/ypRiX4U5P1
💯💯💯
Such calm & clear thoughts in the mind. A real show of character, that he is here for great things ahead…
Respect for #WiaanMulder 🇿🇦
❣️🏏👏#Mulder #SAvsZIM #ZIMvSA #SouthAfrica @ICC @ProteasMenCSA @ZimCricketv

— V.A. (voyager.anas) (@voyageranas) July 8, 2025

Also READ: From Brian Lara to Wiaan Mulder – Top 5 highest individual scores in Test cricket history