Rickelton and Mulder centuries put South Africa back in the fight at Newlands

Both batters passed 100 on Friday at Newlands. Australia will need 288 on Saturday to win the Test and the series.

Contribution SNA · Author profile · 30/10/2026 19:43 UTC

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Ryan Rickelton, seen from behind, congratulated by Wiaan Mulder after reaching 100 against Australia at Newlands on 30 October 2026. — © Grant Pitcher / Gallo Images

South Africa turned the fourth day of the Cape Town Test on its head. Thanks to 101 from Ryan Rickelton and 115 from Wiaan Mulder, the Proteas finished their second innings on 387 on Friday 30 October at Newlands. Australia will need 288 runs on Saturday to win this third and final Test. The two sides have one win each, so the winner will take the series.

The South Africans had started the day with a lead of just 40 and four batters already out. Their total was 140 for four, after the 329 of their first innings and Australia's 429. They needed to extend their resistance to give the bowlers a lead to defend.

Rickelton and Mulder add 154 runs

Matthew Breetzke first supported Rickelton before falling for 43 off the bowling of Pat Cummins. At 181 for five, South Africa remained exposed: half their batters were out and their lead was still only 81.

Rickelton and Mulder then put on 154 together. The former scored 101 off 219 balls, with twelve fours. Their partnership took the Proteas to 335 for five, before a mix-up between the wickets. Rickelton failed to make his ground in time and was run out by the Australian throw.

Mulder fights to the finish

That dismissal was followed by those of Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer and Gerald Coetzee. Slipping from 335 for five to 351 for nine, South Africa risked losing some of the benefit of their rebuild.

Mulder added a further 36 with Kagiso Rabada for the final wicket. Rabada finished not out on two, while Mulder took his personal total to 115 off 221 balls. His dismissal fixed South Africa's total at 387 and brought the fourth day to a close.

In this format, each side has two innings. The first-innings deficit of 100 was therefore wiped out and turned into a lead of 287: Australia need one more to win. The Proteas, for their part, will look to dismiss all ten Australian batters before that target is reached. The fate of the Test and the series remains to be decided.