Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, takes boredom in his big front foot stride, as he builds Test scores

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, South Africa’s latest batting sensation, is only just getting started. The wicketkeeper batsman who became the sixth highest run scorer in the SA T20 franchise tournament, and debuted in Tests against Zimbabwe, with a century, breaking Graeme Pollock’s 1963 record for youngest centurion with a 153, has continued his rich vein of form by scoring 78 off 87 as Saffers reached 626/5 decl.

Though all the attention was on Wiaan Mulder who struck 367 off 334 (220 in boundaries), Pretorius chipped in with 78 off 78. Pretorius has reached 50 7 times now, and converted that to centuries five times across formats in international cricket.

However he’s not immune to what his perennially distracted generation experiences – boredom.

Lhuan-dré Pretorius reflects on a dream debut: an unforgettable maiden Test century. 💯🔥 From nerves to glory, our young star stood tall on the big stage and delivered with class, composure, and character. 💪🇿🇦 #WozaNawe pic.twitter.com/5kzJvJeK2w — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 30, 2025

After the first Test against Zimbabwe that South Africa won where he made 153, he dwelled on the topic of the restless generation that grows up on a staple of T20, but is still acing Test cricket.

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In the first Test, he would get his share of sledges as he batted. However, his mind had processed it all mighty differently. “There was quite a bit of chirping going on, but I like it, I enjoy it quite a lot because it keeps me in the fight and it keeps me going,” he would tell SA cricket.

He warmed up to Test cricket quite well. “Test match cricket, 4-Day cricket is quite long periods that you have to bat and you can get bored. But playing for your country you don’t take it for granted. Didn’t get bored once. It helped me stay in the fight,” he said about the chirps.

Later he told Shaun Pollock on Supersport, that there was another occasion when he indeed got bored though he loved batting to bits. “It’s a tough one. I really love batting. I see it as a hobby. Whenever I can or bat, I normally get kicked out of nets during training and stuff. I go to every optional training just to bat,” he would say. But when asked to stop, his teammates would notice his restlessness.

‘When I get out, it’s really tough. If you ask anyone, they’ll say I get bored, I get really bored. I always sit with my bat in my hand. Ya I love batting,” he said.

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The responsibility of Test cricket is something he has imbibed as something to enjoy, which means he isn’t content with 50s. “I see it like I cannot take anything for granted when I’m in. Tomorrow it might be someone else’s job to win. But when I’m in I have to do my job,” he told Pollock. “My job is to score runs and I need to do it as well as I can. So I don’t want to make my wicket cheap to anyone,” he added.

His approach was straightforward. “Try not looking at the scoreboard. Just take it ball by ball. It’s a new adventure for me every time,” he said.

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