South Africa lift the WTC mace on the Lord's balcony

South Africa climbed up another place on the list of longest unbeaten streaks of any Test side in history, with their win over Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

The Proteas have now been on an unbeaten run for almost a year. Their last match that resulted in anything other than a win for them was in August last year, when they drew to West Indies in Port of Spain. Their match before that game was their most recent loss, which came against New Zealand in February 2024.

Amidst that has been South Africa's run to the World Test Championship final and win at the final at Lord's. They have beaten six different sides in 10 fixtures since their last non win, a streak that puts them out on their own in fourth on the all-time list.

South Africa crush Zimbabwe in second Test

South Africa's victory over Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo was one of their most dominant of that span. Having been put into bat on day one and lost two early wickets, Wiaan Mulder smashed an unbeaten triple century, breaking a host of records on his way to a score of 367 off 334 balls. David Bedingham and Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 82 and 78 respectively, and South Africa declared on 626.

Zimbabwe were then bowled out for 170 in their first innings and made to follow-on. They could only manage 220 in their second innings, giving South Africa a victory margin of an innings and 236 runs.

That win puts South Africa one behind the West Indies side of 1984 on the men's Test winning streaks list. While they have moved out ahead of the South Africa side of 2002/03 and the Sri Lanka side of 2001/02, both of whom secured nine wins in between losses, they still sit well behind the two Australia sides who boast 16-match winning streaks.

Full list: Longest Test winning streaks

Team Streak length From To
Australia 16 October 14, 1999 February 27, 2001
Australia 16 December 26, 2005 January 2, 2008
West Indies 11 March 30, 1984 December 7, 1984
South Africa 10* August 15, 2024 July 6, 2025
South Africa 9 March 15, 2002 May 1, 2003
Sri Lanka 9 August 29, 2001 March 6, 2002
England 8 May 20, 2004 December 17, 2004
Australia 8 December 17, 1920 July 21, 1921

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