South Africa set to play warm-up game against Zimbabwe ahead of the WTC final 2025

South Africa is set to face Zimbabwe in a four-day warm-up match starting June 3 at the scenic Arundel Castle Cricket Ground in Sussex, England. This fixture will serve as a crucial part of the Proteas' preparations ahead of their highly anticipated appearance in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia, scheduled to begin on June 11 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The upcoming clash against Zimbabwe will offer South Africa valuable match practice in English conditions, which are expected to be challenging during the WTC Final. It will also allow players to adapt to red-ball cricket after a gap, as the Proteas last played a Test series back in January 2025. In that home series, they secured a convincing 2-0 win over Pakistan, showcasing strong form and depth in their squad.

Taking on neighbouring Zimbabwe provides a timely opportunity for South Africa to fine-tune their strategies, test combinations, and give game time to key players. The Proteas will be aiming to hit peak form ahead of what is being dubbed the "Ultimate Test" — a high-stakes encounter against Australia for the coveted WTC title. The warm-up match is expected to offer competitive cricket and useful insights for the team management.

Zimbabwe recently made a memorable return to Test cricket on English soil, playing a historic one-off Test against England at Trent Bridge. This marked their first Test appearance in England in over 20 years, a significant moment for Zimbabwean cricket. Although the Chevrons were defeated by an innings and 45 runs, the match featured several promising passages of play, with the visitors showing flashes of brilliance that hinted at their potential in the red-ball format.

As they now prepare to face South Africa in a four-day warm-up match beginning June 3 at Arundel Castle Cricket Ground, Zimbabwe will look to build on that experience. However, they will be without three of their key players—Sikandar Raza, Blessing Muzarabani, and Richard Ngarava. Despite these absences, the remaining squad boasts a mix of experience and emerging talent, providing a solid foundation for a competitive outing.

The warm-up game holds added importance for Zimbabwe, as it serves not only as a test against a top-tier side but also as preparation for the upcoming two-match home Test series against South Africa, scheduled to take place in Bulawayo across June and July. It offers the team a valuable opportunity to sharpen skills and build momentum.

South Africa vs Zimbabwe squads

South Africa squad: Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy.

Zimbabwe squad: Craig Ervine (c), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Ben Curran, Alex Falao, Clive Madande, Wessly Madhevere, Tanunurwa Makoni, Wellington Masakadza, Vincent Masekesa, Newman Nyamhuri, Victor Nyauchi, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams.