From Lhuan-Dre Pretorius to AB of Villiers: Younger South African players to reach centuries in the trial cricket

The South Cricket -African has a proud tradition of producing prodigious talents of whip, but few stories have captured the imagination as that of Lhuan-Dre Pretorius. At an important moment in Bulawayo, the 19-year-old left side was not only announced on the international stage with a Dazzling Century in the test debut against Zimbabwe, but also rewrote record books, becoming the youngest South African to get the coveted feat.

Lhuan-Dre Pretorius creates history in the test debut

Pretorius, at the age of only 19 and 93 days, went out to the fold with South -Africa in a precarious 23 for 3, facing an early test. Without declaring due to the challenging situation or the enormous of the occasion, he immediately pointed out his intention by throwing his fourth ball by six, establishing an audacious tone for an entry that would be marked by fear and composition far beyond his tender years. He reached his single -century single -century test of only 53 balls, showing his aggressive but controlled approach. The milestone continued rapidly, arriving in a pocket of 112 deliveries, a remarkable achievement that not only won its place in history, but also crowned it in South -faster to mark a century in the test, surpassing the previous record of Stiaan van Zyl of 129 balls.

His eventual blow of 153, with seven elegant four and three six high, was the cornerstone of the south recovery -Africa from a precarious 55 by 4 to a position of force. With the pause of tea, Pretorius remained unbeaten at 128 of 141 balls, as he has already left an indelible mark in the party and solidified his name to the anals of the South Cricket -African Cricket.

When he achieved his sensational debut Ton, Pretorius broke a significant 60 -year record that had previously the legendary Graeme PollockShe was 19 and 317 days when she scored her century of single test in Sydney in 1964. The young Protea also overshadowed Pollips as the youngest evidence in South Africa, further emphasizing the magnitude and importance of success. With these outstanding entries, Pretorius became only the seventh south -African to mark a century in the debut of the test, joining a group of elite and exclusive that includes loved names such as Andrew Hudson, Jacques Rudolph, Alviro Petersen, FAF DU PLESSIS, Stiaan van Zyl and Stephen Cook.

Pretorius’s weather rise to international protagonism has been closely followed by those within the South Cricket circles -Africans. Product of the prestigious Stitithians College and Cornwall Hill College, he had already shown his prodigy talent when being the main scorer in South Africa in the U-19 World Cup of 2024. His consistent performances and aggressive style had also impressed the titanian cricket for titans. In addition, his farms in white ball formats, including a sparkling 97 in the T20 franchise for the Paarl Royals in January 2025, had firmly marked him as a player to see, generating a large buzz. Now, with a century of debut test, Pretorius has not only justified all the hype, but has also positioned itself as an angular stone of the future South Baths line -Africa in all formats.

Also read: Zim vs sa-fan fan crashes like lhuan-dere praetorius scripts history with a brilliant century in their test debut

Lhuan-Dre Pretorius: a star in the realization

Although the achievement of praetorius is historic and really noticeable, it follows in the illustrious steps of other great South South -African who have marked their mark on their test races. Especially Ab of villliersWidely considered one of the most endowed and innovative Batsmen of his generation, he debuted his test in December 2004 against England. Although Villiers did not mark a century in debut – this management of scores of 28 and 15 – he registered his maiders one hundred a month later, scoring a magnificent 109 against England in Centurion. De Villiers has accumulated 22 centuries of testing throughout his career, including -a memorable 217 that did not occur against India, and became one of the most celebrated figures in the international cricket. His inspirational journey from a promising beginner to a world superstar serves as a powerful source of inspiration for young talents such as Pretorius, emphasizing the path to sustained excellence.

The younger players to mark a south -Africa -trial century

  • 19Y 93D: LHUAN-DRE
  • 19y 317d: Graeme Pollock
  • 19Y 331D: Graeme Pollock
  • 20Y 145D: TUPPY OWEN-SMITH
  • 20Y 339D: AB of Villiers

Also read: Zim vs Sa-Despres de Lhuan-Dre Praetorius, Corbin Bosch breaks the century of maiden test to achieve the total of 400 of South Africa on the first day 1 of the 1st test

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