Mulder and Rickelton's partnership gives South Africa 288-run lead over Australia
Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton added 154 runs for South Africa, setting a 288-run target for Australia in the Cape Town Test.
South Africa posted a 288-run target after a 154-run partnership between Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder on the fourth day of the Cape Town Test. The pair batted together for 318 balls before a run-out ended their stand. South Africa entered the day four wickets down but held a 40-run advantage, and their partnership pushed the lead to 287 runs after Mulder was dismissed for 115. Australia will need to chase the target on the final day.
Australia’s bowlers, including Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, struggled to break the partnership, with Lyon unable to extract turn and Starc finding little swing under sunny conditions. The first session yielded 62 runs, while the second produced 92 runs as the momentum shifted toward the hosts.
Mulder reached his first half-century since a triple-century against Zimbabwe and later his century, while Rickelton also passed 100 before being run-out for 101. Their contributions set up a decisive final day in a series that has seen multiple lead changes.