South Africa resumed their second innings on 140/4, holding a slender 40-run lead after Australia had made 429 in their first innings. Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton had seen out the final stages of day three. Breetzke and Rickelton continued to grind their way through the morning, adding 41 before Breetzke was dismissed for a determined 43 off 121 balls at 181/5.
The dismissal brought Wiaan Mulder to the crease and marked the beginning of a pivotal partnership. Rickelton and Mulder initially focused on consolidation, absorbing Australia's pressure and steadily taking the sting out of the attack. Working in tandem, Rickelton reached his 50 from 105 balls, while Mulder provided patient support at the other end.
The partnership between Rickelton and Mulder passed 50 from 88 balls and then 100 from 193, with the hosts gradually building a lead that began to look increasingly useful. The pair did not simply shut up shop, though, gradually finding opportunities to increase the scoring rate as their confidence grew. The home side reached the tea break on 294/5, with Rickelton on 83 and Mulder on 46.
The partnership eventually reached 150, with Mulder bringing up his half-century from 138 balls before Rickelton completed his century from 218 deliveries. Rickelton's innings ended on 101, however, when he was run out at 335/6 after 219 balls, ending a sixth-wicket stand worth 154.
The dismissal sparked a brief collapse, with Marco Jansen falling for a duck eight balls later and Simon Harmer following for one, leaving South Africa 344/8 and Australia suddenly sensing an opportunity to limit the target. However, Mulder refused to let the innings unravel, reaching his century from 204 balls and continuing to shepherd the lower order.
Mulder eventually made 115 from 221 deliveries before Pat Cummins had him caught by Mitchell Starc as the final wicket. South Africa were bowled out for 387 in 134.4 overs, setting the tourists a target of 288 for victory. The final few wickets were scrappy but still added to the value of Mulder's effort, with Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada helping South Africa move towards 350 before the innings finally closed.
Australia's attack eventually regained control, with Mitchell Starc taking three wickets and Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon two each. The tourists face a testing final-day target of 288 runs to secure victory in the third Test at Newlands.
Key points
- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder shared a 154-run partnership to help South Africa recover from a precarious position.
- The partnership helped South Africa set a target of 288 runs for Australia to win the third Test at Newlands.
- Mitchell Starc took three wickets, while Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon picked up two wickets apiece for Australia.
