Rickelton and Mulder centuries set Australia 288-run target
- South Africa set Australia a 288-run target to win the third Test.
- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both scored centuries for South Africa.
- The pair shared a 154-run partnership to lead the team's fightback.
- Australia needs 288 to win the series-deciding match at Newlands.
- South Africa will rely on off-spinner Simon Harmer on the final day.
South Africa established a 288-run target for Australia to win the third Test match at Newlands on Friday, October 30, 2026, after concluding their second innings at 387 all out. The three-match series currently sits at a 1-1 tie.
South Africa entered the fourth day at 140 for 4 with a 40-run lead and expanded that margin through the batting efforts of Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder.
Rickelton and Mulder lead batting fightback
Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder anchored the South African recovery, sharing a 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket that spanned nearly 54 overs. This partnership helped the team recover from a position of 181 for 5.
Ryan Rickelton scored 101 runs off 219 balls, marking his third century in Test cricket and including 12 fours. During this performance, he surpassed 1000 career Test runs, adding to his career-best individual score of 259.
Wiaan Mulder also recorded his fourth Test century, finishing with 115 runs off 221 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.
Morning session breakthroughs and late-innings dismissals
Matthew Breetzke was the only South African batter dismissed during the morning session on Friday. He scored 43 runs before falling to a top-edged pull shot off Pat Cummins. This wicket ended a drought for Cummins that lasted more than 62 overs, dating back to the first Test in Durban. It was his first wicket in 374 balls across the series.
Ryan Rickelton was dismissed after a mix-up between him and Wiaan Mulder. Josh Inglis stopped a reverse sweep and threw to Marnus Labuschagne, who removed the bails while Rickelton was short of his ground.
Marco Jansen departed for a duck after he hit a bouncer from Mitchell Starc. Gerald Coetzee was also run out later in the innings.
Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada added 36 runs for the final wicket. Mulder was eventually caught in the deep off the bowling of Pat Cummins. This final dismissal occurred on the third-to-last ball of the day.
Australian bowling efforts
Mitchell Starc took 3-65 in the second innings and finished the match with a total of nine wickets. Nathan Lyon recorded bowling figures of 2 for 101 from 44 overs.
Australia utilized eight bowlers during the innings. This group included Cooper Connolly, Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne.
First innings context
South Africa scored 329 runs in the first innings, and Australia responded with 429 runs.
The visitors held a 100-run lead following the first innings of the match.
Final day outlook at Newlands
South Africa is expected to rely on off-spinner Simon Harmer on the final day. The pitch at Newlands is showing increasing turn.
Australia holds the record for the highest successful fourth-innings chase at Newlands, having scored 331 runs to win in 2002.
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