A pulsating cricket series that has repeatedly swung in favor of both sides is poised for a final-day decider following a remarkable batting fightback by South Africa on the fourth day of the Cape Town Test. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder were instrumental in the resurgence, stitching together a crucial 154-run partnership that steadied the hosts after a shaky start. After Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder headlined South Africa’s stellar batting fightback on Day 4 of the Cape Town Test, a riveting series which has frequently changed hands is set to be decided on the very last day.
South Africa resumed play with four wickets down and a lead of 40 runs, with Rickelton paired with Matthew Breetzke. Nathan Lyon, looking to exploit a pitch that had dried out significantly, opened the bowling. While Breetzke faced early pressure from Mitchell Starc’s short-ball tactics, Rickelton demonstrated excellent poise, using his footwork to negate the turn and bite Lyon found outside the off-stump. With Rickelton having joined Matthew Breetzke late the previous evening, south Africa began the day four down and effectively 40 runs ahead. Cameras showed a padded-up Marco Jansen sitting in wait, having watched Rickelton and Mulder defy Australia for the better part of the day, towards the evening. Rickelton smartly used his crease and stride to smother his turn.
The morning session was a grueling affair for the batters, with just 62 runs scored across 28 overs as Australia rotated their spin options, including Cooper Connolly, Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, and Marnus Labuschagne, to support Lyon. The breakthrough eventually arrived via Pat Cummins, who dismissed Breetzke for his first wicket after 372 balls when the batter pulled a delivery straight to Starc at deep backward square leg. Clearing displeased at the stroke, he walked back shaking his head. It didn’t take him too long to drag his lengths back.
As the game progressed into the second session, the sun emerged to dampen the swing potential for Australia’s pace attack, and the hosts began to shift the momentum. The session produced 92 runs, allowing Mulder to reach his first fifty since his triple-century against Zimbabwe, while Rickelton successfully navigated to a hard-fought century. The sun shone brightly, allowing little assistance for swing, but he couldn’t conjure the magic of Day 1: unlike the overcast skies then.
The partnership of 154 runs was ultimately severed by a miscommunication that resulted in a run-out, sending Rickelton back to the pavilion for 101. Despite the setback, Mulder continued his disciplined approach. While Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer fell in relatively quick succession—the former to a loose shot and the latter to a Lyon delivery—Mulder remained the anchor. Turned sharply over visible patches, but the duo fought through it all, persevering unseparated until a run-out broke their stand after 318 balls, jansen wouldn’t have minded staying put: the ball jumped and stayed low.
The South African middle order endured further instability when a mix-up with Gerald Coetzee led to a second run-out after Mulder had successfully pushed the lead past 250. However, Mulder found a steady partner in Kagiso Rabada and continued to find the boundary, eventually reaching his own century. He concluded his innings on 115 after being caught in the deep, following a flurry of aggressive shots, including a six off Cummins and a slog-sweep off Lyon. On 115, he was finally caught in the deep, having firmly put South Africa in prime position with a lead of 287.
By the close of play, South Africa had posted 387 in their second innings, setting Australia a target of 288 runs to win the match. With the series finale looming, the contest remains wide open.
In summary, South Africa followed their first-innings 329 with 387, led by Mulder’s 115 and Rickelton’s 101. Mitchell Starc claimed 3-65 and Pat Cummins took 2-71 for Australia, who remain at 429 from their opening effort.
