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In the second ODI of the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series 2025, New Zealand won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa. The Proteas, looking to make a mark in the series, fielded four debutants – Eathan Bosch, Mihlali Mpongwana, Matthew Breetzke, and Senuran Muthusamy.
Early setback for South Africa
South Africa started cautiously but suffered an early setback when captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed with the team score at 37 runs. Bavuma’s departure put pressure on the Proteas’ batting unit, but debutant Matthew Breetzke and Jason Smith steadied the innings with a solid partnership.
Brilliant partnership between Matthew Breetzke and Jason Smith
Breetzke and Smith built a 93-run stand for the second wicket, counterattacking the Kiwi bowlers. Smith pla🙈yed a handy knock of 41 runs before being dismissed, followed shortly by Kyle Verreynne, who could only manage a single run. However, Breetzke stood firm and continu🐭ed his onslaught from one end.
Breetzke smashes century on ODI debut
The moment of the match came when Breetzke reached a century on his ODI debut in the 41st over. Facing William O’Rourke, Breetzke cut a short and wide delivery past backward point for a boundary, bringing up his hundred in style. As the ball raced to the fence, Breetzke removed his helmet, took in the applause from the dressi🍸ng room, and acknowledged the crowd with his bat raised high. With this milestone, Breetzke became the fourth South African cricketer to score a century on ODI debut, joining an elite list of players.
South African players with a century on ODI debut
- Colin Ingram vs Zimbabwe (2010)
- Temba Bavuma vs Ireland (2016)
- Reeza Hendricks vs Sri Lanka (2018)
- Matthew Breetzke vs New Zealand (2025)
Also READ: South Africa names Anrich Nortje’s replacement for Champio𝔉ns Trophy 2025
Breetzke registers highest ODI score on debut
Breetzke didn’t stop at 100. He continued his brilliant stroke play and went past 126 runs, setting the record for the highest individual score on ODI debut for South Africa. He eventually reached the 150-run milestone before getting out and cementing his name as one of the most promising ౠyoung batters for the Proteas.
Following Bre✨etzke’s dismissal, South Africa stood strong at 263/4, thanks to Breetzke’s heroic innings. With a formidable total in sight, the Proteas looked set to challenge New Zealan𝓰d in the chase.
Here is how fans reacted:
The stuff of dreams. A century on debut! 💪💥🔥
Matthew Breetzke held the inning🦹s🔥 together beautifully and is now reaping the rewards! 👏🏏
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)
HUNDRED FOR MATTHEW BREETZKE ON HIS ODI DEBUT…!!!!
– Excellent knock by Breetzke, against a quality Kiwi attack, he played so well under pressure. 🙇
Breetzke is part of Lucknow Super Giants in IPL ꧋2025.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Matthew Breetzke brings up a century on ODI 🔜debut 🔥�💞�🔥
He is the 4th Proteas player to do so
Colin Ingram 124 vs Zimbabwe
Reeza Hendricks 102 vs Sri Lanka
Temba Bavuma 113 vs Ireland— Werner (@Werries_)
Century on de﷽but for Matthew Breetzke! Class 🇿🇦
— Ayanda Nyuswa (@atnyuswa)
Such an amazing knock By this Lad from South Africa 🇿🇦
Matthew Breetzke Scoring a 100 of 128 deliveries— Numair Tariq (@NumairTariq2)
HUNDRED for Matthew Breetzke on ODI debut
Luckn🎃ow Supergiants Blud bashing New Zealand 😎🔥
— Riseup Pant (@riseup_pant17)
Matthew Breetzke brings up a 💯 on ODI debut!!! Very good well composed innings that… never once panicked.. just always seemed in control of his game!! Very impressive from a talented individual🔥🔥🔥🔥
So happy for him!!! 👏— Lawrence Bailey ⚪ 🇿🇦 (@Lawrenc🐬eBailey0)
Matthew Breetzke became the 4thജ South African playe♏r to score a century on his ODI debut.
Colin Ingram (2010)
Temba Bavuma (2016)
Reeza Hendricks (2018)
Matthew Breetzke (Today)— Vijay Anaparthi (@VijayCricketFan)
CENTURY on debut for Matthew Breetzke 🙌
— ThePoppingCrease (@PoppingCreaseSA)
Matthew Breetzke brings up his 💯
— Caught & Bowled (@caught1bowled)
1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ on debut by Matthew Breetzke 👊🏏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Felt awful when Matthew Breetzke made a duck on his Test debut and was dropped for the next game. Happy he’s got to 100 on his ODI debut. He’s held the innings together really♍ well.
— Mawande Mateza (@Mawandinho)
A HUNDRED ON DEBUT!
Matthew Breetzke becomes the fourth South African to hit a ton on men's ODI debut 👏
— Zeeshan Qayyum ☄️ (@XeeshanQayyum)
MAIDEN ODI CENTURY FOR MATTHEW BREETZKE ON HIꦫS DEB♐UT! 🔥
– Reaching his century in 128 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes, in the 2nd ODI Tri-series match against New Zealand.
W♈ell played, B🌳reetzke! He has been playing an amazing innings on his debut, a dream debut! 👏
— Akaran.A (@Akaran_1)
Hopefully Matthew Breetzke gets a good amount of chances in the IPL. Deserves ไto start in the XI from game 1. Capable of doing very very special things
— Aditya Gursahani (@adityagursahani)
18th October 2007 : AB De Villiers,playing in his first ODI on Pa💙kistani soil,scores a century 🍷against Pakistan in Lahore. He smashes 103 off 95
10th February 2025 : Matthew Breetzke,playing in his first ODI on Pakistani soil,brings up his century against Ne❀w Zealand in Lahore
— Arnav Singh (@Arnavv43)
Matthew Breetzke is going to be the poster boy of South African cricket for very very long time 𒈔hundred on debut in ODIs
— Ethan #EW (@EWsportnut)
Matthew Breetzke you beaut! 🏏🇿🇦
— Ntsako Mkhari (@Ntsako_Mkhari_)