After making waves in domestic cricket, South Africa’s new batting sensation has now taken Test cricket by storm—on just his very first day. Lhuan-dré Pretorius, already a much-talked-about name in South African cricket circles, has lived up to the hype with a record-breaking debut innings that announced his arrival on the international stage.
Known for his explosive performances since age-group cricket, Pretorius carried his domestic dominance into his Test debut against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Walking to the crease with his team struggling at 23 for 3, and then 55 for 4, the 19-year-old left-hander launched a breathtaking counterattack. In just 160 balls, he smashed 150 runs, peppered with 11 fours and 4 sixes—turning heads and rewriting history.
At just 19 years and 93 days old, his innings rewrote several records:
Youngest Records
Youngest to Score 150 on Debut in Test History
In the 148-year history of Test cricket, no one has scored 150 on debut at a younger age. The previous record stood for nearly 49 years—held by Pakistan legend Javed Miandad, who scored 163 against New Zealand in 1976 at the age of 19 years and 119 days.
Youngest South African to Score Century on Debut
Pretorius is now the youngest South African ever to hit a century on Test debut. The previous record was held by Jacques Rudolph, who scored an unbeaten 222 at 21 years and 355 days against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2003. While Rudolph’s career didn’t fully live up to that explosive start, he still managed six centuries from 48 Tests.
Youngest Ever South African Test Centurion
Not just on debut—Pretorius is the youngest South African to score a Test century, period. He breaks the record of the legendary Graeme Pollock, who made his maiden century at 19 years and 317 days against Australia in 1964. Pollock would go on to average 60.97 in Tests—a figure bettered only by Don Bradman (99.94) among players with over 2,000 runs. Sadly, apartheid-era bans cut short Pollock’s career after just 23 Tests.
Pretorius also holds the distinction of being the youngest South African to score a half-century in international cricket—across all three formats.
Fastest Records
Fastest Test Century on Debut by a South African
Pretorius reached his century in just 112 balls—breaking the previous South African record for a debut ton, held by Stiaan van Zyl (129 balls against West Indies in 2014).
Fastest 150 in South African Test History
His 150 came off just 157 balls, setting a new national record for the quickest 150 in Tests. The previous best was AB de Villiers’ 162-ball 150 against Australia in 2012.
Second-Fastest 150 on Debut in World Test History
Globally, Pretorius’ feat is second only to India’s Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 150 off just 131 balls in his debut knock of 187 against Australia in 2013.
Century on Both First-Class and Test Debuts
Pretorius now joins an elite club of players who have scored centuries on both their first-class and Test debuts. He made 120 on debut for the Warriors last December and followed it up with his Test hundred. Only three others have managed this rare feat: Gundappa Viswanath (India), Dirk Welham (Australia), and Prithvi Shaw (India).
Debutant Partnership Record
Pretorius also set a partnership record alongside fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. Their 95-run stand is now the highest-ever by two South African debutants, surpassing the previous record of 92 set by Andrew Hudson and Adrian Kuiper against West Indies in 1992.
And Then There’s Brevis
While Pretorius stole the spotlight, Brevis made history in his own right—becoming South Africa’s fastest half-centurion on Test debut. He reached his fifty in just 38 balls, breaking a 123-year-old record previously held by Dave Nurse, who scored 50 off 40 balls against Australia in 1902.
Brevis now shares the fourth spot on the list of the fastest fifties on Test debut globally.
A Day for the Ages
Lhuan-dré Pretorius’ maiden Test outing will go down as one of the most unforgettable debut performances in South African cricket history. With composure, power, and a flair for records, the 19-year-old has already carved his name into cricket folklore—on Day One.
