South African Teen Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters 48-Year-Old Record with Debut Test Century

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius has become the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings, rewriting the record books on his debut. The 19-year-old achieved this milestone against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates his record-breaking innings with Corbin Bosch.

At 19 years and 93 days old, Pretorius crafted a remarkable innings of 153 runs from 160 deliveries. Previously, Miandad held the record, scoring 163 against New Zealand in 1976 at the age of 19 years and 119 days. Pretorius now holds the distinction of being the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut.

His aggressive innings was crucial, arriving when South Africa was struggling at 23 for 3, then later at 55 for 4. Pretorius forged a dynamic 95-run partnership in just 88 balls with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. Brevis contributed a swift 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"There were nerves when I walked in," Pretorius admitted after the day's play. "We knew they had only two seamers, and we targeted the spinners. I just love batting. It worked out today."

Pretorius reached his century in 112 balls and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. His innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch scoring an unbeaten 100 off 124 balls – his first-ever century. Kwena Maphaka (9*) provided support, while Codi Yusuf added a valuable 27 during a 59-run partnership for the ninth wicket.

However, the day undeniably belonged to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the record-breaking teenage star.