Luan Dre Pretorius scores a record in the Proteas’ match against Zimbabwe (Image via ET)
South African teenage star Luan Dre Pretorius has made his priorities clear. Despite establishing himself in leagues around the world, the 20-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman says he would gladly give up all other formats if it meant enjoying a long and successful Test career for South Africa.Pretorius currently represents the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket (MLC), and he has been in sensational form. He recently smashed an unbeaten 102 off just 52 balls against MI New York, registering his maiden T20 century. The left-hander is also part of Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, where he made his debut in 2025 before being retained for the 2026 season. In South Africa’s SA20 League, he emerged as the top run-scorer for Paarle Royals during the 2024-2025 season, while also representing the Giants in domestic cricket.However, despite his meteoric rise in white-ball cricket, Pretorius insists that Test cricket remains his ultimate ambition.“I hope I will be lucky enough to play a lot of Test cricket and be able to score 10,000 Test runs because that is my dream. I will give up any format or any cricket to play Test cricket for South Africa for as long as I can. There is nothing better than playing Test cricket,” Pretorius told Cricbuzz. “It’s the pinnacle of cricket.”
A historic beginning of his experimental career
Pretorius has appeared in just two Tests for South Africa, both against Zimbabwe in mid-2025, but has already announced himself as one of the brightest young talents in the game. He scored 235 runs in three innings at an average of 78.33, including a century and a half-century, with a career best score of 153.His first innings was one for the record books. At the age of 19 years and 93 days, Pretorius smashed 153 off 160 balls in Bulawayo to become South Africa’s youngest ever Test captain, breaking the 61-year-old record previously held by Graeme Pollock.The innings also saw him become the youngest player in Test history to score 150 runs on debut, surpassing Pakistan great Javed Miandad. His 150 deliveries came off just 157 deliveries, making him the 150th fastest by a South African in Test cricket.Adding another feather to his cap, Pretorius joined the exclusive list of players who have scored a century on their first-class debut and Test debut.