South Africa’s 19-Year-Old wicketkeeper-batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius hits century on Test debut. All you need to know about Lhuan-dre Pretorius.
South Africa are riding high on the momentum of their recent World Test Championship triumph, and they’ve brought that same dominance into their current Test against Zimbabwe. Day 1 belonged entirely to the Proteas, as they piled on a commanding total of 418/9.
At the heart of this impressive display was debutant Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who played with a composure and confidence well beyond his years. In a fearless and fluent innings, Pretorius smashed 153 off just 160 deliveries with a strike rate of 95.62, anchoring the innings and providing the stability his team needed. His remarkable performance not only set the tone for South Africa but also etched his name into the record books. He’s now the 10th youngest player in history to score a century in Test cricket. During his innings, Pretorious struck 11 fours and four sixes.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius in junior cricket; his journey so far
Lhuan’s talent was evident from a young age as he was very consistent in junior cricket. He was South Africa’s leading run scorer in the 2023 Under-19 World Cup. Apart from that, he was also the sixth-highest run scorer at the CSA T20 Knockout Challenge in 2023-24.
With his steady performance and aggressive playing style, he climbed the ranks quickly and made an entry into the franchise cricket world as well. He made his T20 franchise debut for Vitality Blast in January 2024 and for Paarl Royals in 2025.
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Lhuan in Domestic cricket
With only a handful of domestic matches under his belt, Lhuan is still a fresher who has a long way to go. Overall, he has played 7 First Class matches, but it’s his average- 60.62 that is speaking volumes about his calibre. He is inexperienced, but the kind of character he is displaying reflects his tremendous potential. His approach is exactly what the modern-day cricket demands- fearless and attacking, and that’s what makes him different from the rest.
Here is a complete breakdown of his domestic career so far:
Lhuan, being a middle-order batsman, looks very comfortable against spinners. The way he uses his footwork to counter-spin is very impressive. He has a clean bat swing and a stable head position, and that is the key to his powerful punches. His intent, too, looks very positive. The charisma with which he dances down the track, to dispatch the ball near the sight screen, is commendable and worth noting, as there is not even an iota of doubt in his shot selection.
The future has arrived! Hundred on debut for Lhuan-dre Pretorius and I'm positive it is the first of many. What a knock from a top, top player. Very lekker to see new stars keep coming through for the Proteas🔥🔥
— Dale (@ncakos316) June 28, 2025
South Africa’s rising star: Lhuan-dre Pretorius
With the kind of technique and temperament he possesses, he is the nation’s rising star. With a century in the very first game, he has shown the attitude to shine at the highest level. He must have gained truckloads of confidence after raising the bat after achieving the milestone.
His batting prowess, combined with agility behind the stumps, has made him an impactful player. He represents a new generation of talent, and his potential to make a significant impact on South African cricket is undeniable.
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💥 150 UP for Lhuan-dré Pretorius on debut! 🏏
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 28, 2025
It’s hard to put into words what a scintillating innings this has been: pure shot-making brilliance 🇿🇦💪!
A debut for the ages! 🔥#WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/qWJ5w6pFsh
Can he carry South Africa’s wicketkeeper-batter legacy?
South African cricket has a rich history of producing exceptional wicketkeeper-batters, like Ab de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, etc. Now, the spotlight is on Lhuan as he has already brought the cricket world to a storm with a century in the very first game, and now, he will be hoping to etch his name amongst these legends.
He surely holds immense talent and can potentially be another legend from the country, but it’s too early to say. For now, he needs to keep his head down and continue to perform like his seniors did in their time.
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