Rickelton, Mulder tons set Australia 288-run WTC target in Cape Town
Synopsis
With their backs against the wall at 181/5, South Africa's Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put on a match-defining 154-run sixth-wicket stand — both scoring centuries — to set Australia a 288-run final-day target in the WTC series decider at Cape Town. It's a genuine contest: one side needs to bat out the day, the other needs 10 wickets.
Key Takeaways
South Africa posted 387 all out in their second innings, setting Australia a target of 288 runs to win the series-deciding third Test at Newlands, Cape Town .
Ryan Rickelton scored 101 off 219 balls (12 fours) before being run out by Josh Inglis in the 120th over .
Wiaan Mulder top-scored with 115 off 221 balls (10 fours, 4 sixes), dismissed last by Pat Cummins .
The pair shared a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership that transformed South Africa's position from 181/5 .
Mitchell Starc was Australia's best bowler with 3 for 65 ; Cummins and Nathan Lyon each took 2 wickets .
The ICC WTC 2025/27 series is locked at 1-1 ; the final-day chase will decide the outcome.
Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both struck determined centuries on Day 4 of the series-deciding third Test at Newlands, Cape Town, powering South Africa to 387 all out in their second innings and setting Australia a challenging target of 288 runs to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 series. With the three-match series locked at 1-1, the final day's chase on Friday will determine which side claims the series.
The Rickelton-Mulder Fightback
South Africa resumed the morning at a precarious 140/4, needing a significant partnership to set a competitive total. The hosts suffered an early blow when Matthew Breetzke, who had resumed alongside Rickelton, miscued a pull off a sharp Pat Cummins delivery in the 67th over and was caught by Mitchell Starc for 43, leaving South Africa reeling at 181/5.
That brought Mulder to the crease, and what followed was a masterclass in lower-order resilience. The pair stitched together a monumental 154-run sixth-wicket partnership across two gruelling sessions, frustrating Australia's attack and shifting the balance decisively in South Africa's favour.
Century Knocks in Detail
Rickelton compiled a gritty 101 off 219 balls, striking 12 boundaries, before being run out by Josh Inglis in the 120th over. Mulder was the more aggressive of the two, finishing with an outstanding 115 off 221 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and 4 sixes. With Rickelton gone, Kagiso Rabada provided crucial tail-end support to help Mulder reach his hundred before Cummins eventually removed Mulder as the last wicket, ending South Africa's innings at 387 in 134.4 overs.
Australia's Bowling Figures
Mitchell Starc was the standout performer with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 65 runs in 24 overs. Captain Pat Cummins finished with 2 for 71, while veteran spinner Nathan Lyon also picked up 2 wickets for 101 runs. Despite their efforts, Australia were unable to prevent the hosts from building a lead of 287 runs — one more than the nominal target of 288, accounting for the first innings differential.
Series Context and What's at Stake
South Africa had posted 329 in their first innings before Australia replied with a dominant 429, securing a crucial 100-run first-innings lead. That deficit made South Africa's second-innings recovery all the more impressive. Notably, this is the rubber match of a series that has been tightly contested throughout — a series split means neither side advances on WTC points as strongly as a series win would allow.
Australia will begin their fourth-innings chase on the final day needing 288 runs — a total that is achievable but demanding, especially against a South African attack that will have Rabada and Mulder well-rested and fired up. The final day at Newlands promises to be a gripping conclusion to the WTC cycle's most competitive bilateral series so far.
Brief Scores: South Africa 329 & 387 all out in 134.4 overs (Wiaan Mulder 115, Ryan Rickelton 101; Mitchell Starc 3-65, Pat Cummins 2-71) lead Australia 429 by 287 runs.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is Kagiso Rabada's tail-end contribution: if South Africa's bowlers bat like this, Australia will need their own version of resilience when it is their turn. A 288-run target on a Cape Town surface on Day 5 is not a gimme — the pitch's history of uneven bounce could make the difference.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What target has South Africa set Australia in the Cape Town Test?
South Africa set Australia a target of 288 runs to win the series-deciding third Test at Newlands, Cape Town, after posting 387 all out in their second innings. Australia will begin their fourth-innings chase on the final day of the match.
How did Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder perform in South Africa's second innings?
Ryan Rickelton scored 101 off 219 balls with 12 boundaries before being run out, while Wiaan Mulder made 115 off 221 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and 4 sixes. The two shared a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership that was central to South Africa's recovery from 181/5.
What is the ICC World Test Championship series score between South Africa and Australia?
The three-match WTC 2025/27 series between South Africa and Australia is level at 1-1 heading into the final day of the third Test. The outcome of Day 5 at Newlands will decide the series winner.
Who were the top Australian bowlers in South Africa's second innings?
Mitchell Starc was the pick of Australia's bowlers with 3 wickets for 65 runs in 24 overs. Captain Pat Cummins took 2 for 71 and spinner Nathan Lyon finished with 2 for 101.
What were South Africa's first-innings and Australia's first-innings scores?
South Africa scored 329 in their first innings, and Australia replied with 429, earning a 100-run first-innings lead. South Africa's strong second innings of 387 reversed that deficit, leaving Australia needing 288 to win.
