Rickelton and Mulder Leave Australia with a 288-Run Target on the Final Day of Cape Town Test

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, October 30, 2026: Australia began the fourth day of the third Test at Newlands with South Africa only 40 runs ahead and four wickets down. By stumps, Pat Cummins’ side faced a target of 288 to win the match and the three-Test series. Ryan Rickelton’s patient 101 and Wiaan Mulder’s determined 115 transformed the contest through a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership, taking South Africa from 181/5 to 335/6 before a late collapse and a valuable final-wicket stand carried the hosts to 387 all out.

South Africa had been bowled out for 329 in their first innings before Australia responded with 429, securing a 100-run advantage. But the hosts added 247 runs on Friday, October 30, to give themselves a realistic chance of defending 288 on Saturday’s final day. Mitchell Starc finished with 3/65 in South Africa’s second innings and nine wickets for the match, while the increasingly worn Newlands surface promises a demanding examination for Australia’s batters. The series is level at 1-1, and the decisive Test remains unresolved after four absorbing days.

South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test: Score and Match Situation After Day 4

The ICC’s official Day 4 report confirms the target of 288 and the centuries from Rickelton and Mulder. It also confirms the 154-run partnership that changed the direction of the match.

Day 4: From a Fragile 40-Run Lead to a Serious Fourth-Innings Target

South Africa resumed on 140/4, with Matthew Breetzke unbeaten on 19 and Ryan Rickelton on eight. A lead of 40 runs offered little security against an Australian attack featuring Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

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Story at a glance

01

South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test: Score and Match Situation After Day 4

The ICC’s official Day 4 report confirms the target of 288 and the centuries from Rickelton and Mulder. It also confirms the 154-run partnership that changed the direction of the match.

02

Day 4: From a Fragile 40-Run Lead to a Serious Fourth-Innings Target

South Africa resumed on 140/4, with Matthew Breetzke unbeaten on 19 and Ryan Rickelton on eight. A lead of 40 runs offered little security against an Australian attack featuring Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

03

Ryan Rickelton’s 101: The Innings That Held South Africa Together

Ryan Rickelton’s 101 from 219 balls was an innings of control rather than relentless aggression.

04

Wiaan Mulder’s 115: A Century That Changed the Equation

If Rickelton provided the foundation, Wiaan Mulder ensured South Africa had a substantial total to defend.

05

The Numbers Behind South Africa’s Remarkable Recovery

The match has featured several dramatic momentum changes, but the most revealing figures are found in South Africa’s second-innings partnerships.

The early objective was straightforward: survive long enough for the first-innings deficit to become a substantial lead. Breetzke and Rickelton resisted Australia’s attempts to force a quick breakthrough, though scoring remained difficult.

Pat Cummins Removes Matthew Breetzke for 43

Breetzke had reached 43 from 121 deliveries when Cummins found extra bounce with a short ball in the 67th over. The batter attempted a pull and sent the ball to Starc, ending a fifth-wicket partnership of 50.

At 181/5, South Africa led by only 81 runs. Australia remained in a strong position. A rapid collapse could have left the visitors requiring fewer than 150 on the final day.

Instead, Mulder joined Rickelton and produced the partnership that fundamentally altered the contest.

Rickelton and Mulder Add 154 Runs in 53 Overs

Rickelton and Mulder were not initially concerned with accelerating the scoring rate. Their first priority was to keep Australia’s experienced attack from creating consecutive breakthroughs.

Rickelton managed the strike carefully, using singles and selective boundaries to maintain progress. Mulder absorbed pressure at the other end and gradually developed greater freedom against the bowlers.

South Africa reached lunch at 202/5, a lead of 102. By tea, the total had advanced to 294/5 and the advantage had grown to 194.

The pair eventually added 154 runs from 318 legal deliveries, occupying 53 overs before Rickelton was run out.

In a match where Australia had held a 100-run first-innings advantage, that partnership gave South Africa something much more valuable than a competitive total: time, runs and growing pressure on the side that would have to bat last.

Ryan Rickelton’s 101: The Innings That Held South Africa Together

Ryan Rickelton’s 101 from 219 balls was an innings of control rather than relentless aggression.

The wicketkeeper-batter struck 12 fours and reached his half-century from 105 deliveries. He required another 113 balls to reach three figures, bringing up his hundred from 218 balls.

His achievement was particularly significant because South Africa had entered their second innings under pressure after conceding a 100-run lead.

Rickelton’s approach made Australia earn almost every opportunity. He combined disciplined defense with measured scoring, allowing Mulder to settle into the partnership before the pair became increasingly assertive.

The Run-Out That Almost Undid the Recovery

Rickelton’s dismissal came through a running misunderstanding rather than a breakthrough by a bowler.

In the 120th over, sharp fielding from Josh Inglis and the involvement of Marnus Labuschagne completed a run-out that ended Rickelton’s innings on 101.

It was an important moment because the 154-run partnership had placed South Africa in a position to build an even larger lead.

The dismissal immediately changed Australia’s prospects.

From 335/5, South Africa lost four wickets for only 16 runs to slide to 351/9. Marco Jansen fell for a duck, Simon Harmer made one, and Gerald Coetzee was run out for one.

With only Kagiso Rabada remaining, Australia appeared capable of restricting the target to 252.

That prospect disappeared when Mulder and Rabada added another 36 runs.

Wiaan Mulder’s 115: A Century That Changed the Equation

If Rickelton provided the foundation, Wiaan Mulder ensured South Africa had a substantial total to defend.

Batting at No. 7, Mulder scored 115 from 221 balls, including 10 fours and four sixes.

His innings developed in stages. Initially, he absorbed Australia’s pressure and concentrated on preserving his wicket. Once Rickelton was dismissed and the lower order collapsed, he had to reconsider his approach.

At 351/9, the immediate priority was survival. But with Rabada offering determined resistance, Mulder gradually became more aggressive.

He completed his century from 204 balls and then struck further boundaries to lift South Africa’s advantage.

The last-wicket partnership was worth 36 runs. Rabada contributed two from 14 deliveries, while Mulder supplied most of the scoring.

Cummins eventually dismissed Mulder for 115, caught by Starc, in the 135th over.

South Africa finished on 387. Australia would need 288.

Why the Final-Wicket Stand Could Matter

At 351/9, Australia would have faced a target of 252 if the innings had ended immediately.

The additional 36 runs increased the requirement to 288.

In a fourth innings on a surface offering assistance to the spinners, those extra runs could influence Australia’s approach to risk, scoring and survival.

They also provided South Africa’s bowlers with more room to attack without immediately allowing the visitors to get within reach of victory.

Cricket Australia’s official fourth-day analysis identified the Rickelton-Mulder partnership and the late contribution from Mulder as the developments that transformed Australia’s final-day task.

The Numbers Behind South Africa’s Remarkable Recovery

The match has featured several dramatic momentum changes, but the most revealing figures are found in South Africa’s second-innings partnerships.

TSE original statistical insight: The partnership between Rickelton and Mulder represented nearly two-thirds of South Africa’s Day 4 scoring. But their collective value was greater than their 154 partnership runs alone. Together, they scored 216 individual runs across the full innings, while occupying the crease for long periods that denied Australia opportunities to attack the lower order.

That balance between scoring and occupying time could become the defining feature of the Test if South Africa successfully defend the target.

How the First Three Days Brought the Test to This Point

Day 1: Starc’s Six Wickets Restrict South Africa to 329

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, but South Africa initially made their decision look questionable.

Marques Ackerman and Aiden Markram put together an opening partnership of 158. Ackerman attacked confidently, scoring 95 from only 94 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.

Markram contributed 78 from 141 deliveries, and David Bedingham reached 50.

South Africa were 203/2 when Markram departed, but Australia’s bowlers found a way back into the innings.

Mitchell Starc was the decisive figure, finishing with 6/72. His wickets included Bedingham, Rickelton, Mulder, Jansen, Coetzee and Rabada.

Marco Jansen’s 52 and Rickelton’s 42 nevertheless helped South Africa reach 329.

The significance of Australia recovering after South Africa’s promising start echoes the pressure-management themes examined in TSE’s opening-day report from the Durban Test.

Day 2: Josh Inglis and Alex Carey Put Australia in Control

Australia were 330/4 at the end of Day 2, leading by one run with six wickets remaining.

Matt Renshaw had contributed 74, Travis Head 41 and Cameron Green 65, while Josh Inglis and Alex Carey were unbeaten on 85 and 51 respectively.

The innings had been transformed by their fifth-wicket partnership. After Australia slipped to 185/4, Inglis and Carey put on 185 runs together.

Their stand provided Australia with the platform to secure the first-innings advantage that later appeared likely to decide the match.

Renshaw’s 74 was another important contribution in a series already defined partly by his performances. TSE previously examined Renshaw’s extraordinary first-Test innings in Durban and the subsequent Australian victory that gave the visitors the early series advantage.

Day 3: Australia’s 100-Run Lead and South Africa’s Early Wickets

Australia were eventually dismissed for 429 in 125.1 overs.

Inglis completed his century with 102 from 135 balls, while Carey finished with 80 from 168 deliveries.

Simon Harmer led South Africa’s bowling with 4/104, and Jansen claimed 3/60.

Australia’s 100-run advantage placed considerable pressure on South Africa when their second innings began.

Starc dismissed Markram for one and Ackerman for 62. Hazlewood removed Bedingham for 11, while Lyon bowled captain Temba Bavuma for 35 late in the day.

South Africa closed at 140/4, leading by only 40 runs.

The ICC’s official Day 3 report highlighted Australia’s advantage and the late dismissal of Bavuma.

Complete Scorecard: South Africa First Innings

Australia Bowling: South Africa First Innings

Fall of wickets: 158/1, 203/2, 204/3, 216/4, 232/5, 232/6, 327/7, 328/8, 329/9, 329/10.

Complete Scorecard: Australia First Innings

South Africa Bowling: Australia First Innings

Fall of wickets: 58/1, 58/2, 184/3, 185/4, 370/5, 379/6, 380/7, 402/8, 425/9, 429/10.

Complete Scorecard: South Africa Second Innings

Australia Bowling: South Africa Second Innings

Fall of wickets: 12/1, 31/2, 95/3, 131/4, 181/5, 335/6, 343/7, 344/8, 351/9, 387/10.

Mitchell Starc’s Nine Wickets: Australia’s Most Important Bowling Weapon

Starc’s influence across the first four days cannot be overlooked.

He took 6/72 in South Africa’s first innings and added 3/65 in the second, finishing with match figures of nine wickets for 137 runs.

His opening-day spell was crucial to restricting the hosts to 329 after they had reached 203/2.

He also made early second-innings breakthroughs, removing Markram and Ackerman before dismissing Jansen late on Day 4.

Although Rickelton and Mulder successfully resisted Australia’s attack for much of the fourth day, Starc’s contribution ensured South Africa would not begin their final innings with an overwhelming advantage.

Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen: Can South Africa Defend 288?

Australia’s fourth-innings challenge is substantial, particularly with South Africa possessing both pace and spin options.

Harmer took four wickets in Australia’s first innings and bowled 37 overs. The surface is showing signs of wear, with rough areas offering opportunities for significant turn and bounce.

He may become an influential figure as Australia’s right-handed batters negotiate conditions on the final day.

Jansen, meanwhile, produced the most economical substantial spell of South Africa’s first innings, taking 3/60 in 22.1 overs with seven maidens.

His accuracy and left-arm angle could be useful against an Australian top order seeking to score without exposing itself to early wickets.

The availability and workload of Kagiso Rabada add further tactical interest. His return was a notable development in this series, as previously covered in TSE’s report on Rabada rejoining South Africa’s attack.

South Africa’s bowling confidence also draws on the previous Test, where Jansen’s five-wicket performance was central to placing Australia under severe pressure.

Australia’s Batting: Why 288 Is Difficult but Achievable

Australia have already scored 429 on the Newlands surface, so their batters know that sustained partnerships are possible.

The challenge is that fourth-innings conditions may differ significantly from those encountered earlier in the match.

As the pitch wears, uneven bounce and turn could make confident strokeplay increasingly risky.

Australia will need to balance three competing priorities:

• Preserving early wickets: Losing several top-order batters before lunch would give South Africa an opportunity to attack with close fielders.
• Maintaining a manageable scoring rate: Excessively defensive batting could increase pressure and allow South Africa to control the pace of play.
• Building at least one major partnership: Australia’s first innings demonstrated how much a long stand can change the direction of a Test.

Matt Renshaw and Travis Head: The Opening Test

Renshaw made 74 in Australia’s first innings at Cape Town, continuing his important involvement in the series.

Head contributed 41 and could provide early momentum if he handles South Africa’s new-ball attack.

Australia’s preparations for the decider involved significant selection questions, particularly the composition of the batting order. TSE examined those issues in our preview of Australia’s selection decisions before Cape Town.

Josh Inglis, Cameron Green and Alex Carey

Inglis made 102 in Australia’s first innings, Green contributed 65, and Carey added 80.

Those runs are particularly relevant because Australia’s top order does not need to complete the chase alone.

The visitors have substantial batting contributions available beyond their opening pair, but any attempt to repeat their first-innings rescue will become more difficult if wickets fall rapidly.

How the Series Reached a 1-1 Decider

The Cape Town match carries particular significance because both teams have already demonstrated their ability to dominate a Test.

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, taking advantage of powerful batting contributions and disciplined bowling.

South Africa then produced an emphatic response at Gqeberha, winning the second Test by an innings and 31 runs.

Temba Bavuma’s 179 was central to that recovery, alongside the lower-order support that transformed South Africa’s innings. The captain’s performance was examined in TSE’s report on Bavuma’s crucial innings.

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Our full second-Test result and analysis traced how the Proteas turned their recovery into a series-leveling victory.

The broader rivalry and its significance to the World Test Championship were established in our original South Africa-Australia series preview.

Changes in team composition have also shaped the contest. South Africa’s preparations for Gqeberha included selection decisions involving Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, illustrating the importance of establishing the right batting combination over the course of the series.

What Could Decide Day 5 at Newlands?

1. The First Hour of Australia’s Chase

The beginning of Australia’s innings will be critical.

A productive opening stand could reduce South Africa’s advantage and force Bavuma to spread the field earlier than he would prefer.

But two or three quick wickets would leave Australia facing a substantial target with an increasingly difficult surface to negotiate.

2. Simon Harmer’s Control Against Australia’s Right-Handers

Harmer’s accuracy and ability to exploit rough areas may become especially important as the ball ages.

South Africa must decide when to introduce spin and how aggressively to position their close fielders.

3. Starc’s Batting and Australia’s Lower Order

If the chase reaches Australia’s lower order, the ability of the final batters to contribute useful runs could prove crucial.

The home side have just demonstrated how much a last-wicket partnership can influence the target in a close Test.

4. Can Australia Repeat Their First-Innings Partnership Building?

Inglis and Carey put on 185 in Australia’s first innings, demonstrating the benefits of patience and sustained concentration.

A similar partnership could put Australia in a strong position on Saturday, but the changing pitch and the pressure of the final innings may make that difficult.

5. South Africa’s Captaincy and Field Placements

Bavuma must balance aggressive wicket-taking fields against the need to prevent boundaries.

A defensive approach could allow Australia to reduce the target steadily, but maintaining too many catchers for too long could create scoring opportunities.

South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the score after Day 4?

South Africa scored 329 and 387, while Australia made 429 in their first innings. Australia require 288 to win on the fifth day.

How many runs does Australia need to win?

Australia must score 288 runs in their fourth innings to win the Test and the series.

Who scored centuries for South Africa on Day 4?

Ryan Rickelton scored 101 from 219 balls, and Wiaan Mulder made 115 from 221 balls.

What was the partnership between Rickelton and Mulder?

The pair added 154 runs for the sixth wicket, taking South Africa from 181/5 to 335/6.

How many wickets did Mitchell Starc take?

Starc claimed six wickets in South Africa’s first innings and three in the second, giving him nine wickets for 137 runs in the match through Day 4.

Who was Australia’s leading first-innings run scorer?

Josh Inglis scored 102 from 135 balls. Alex Carey contributed 80, and Matt Renshaw scored 74.

Who took the most wickets for South Africa in Australia’s first innings?

Simon Harmer took four wickets for 104 runs, while Marco Jansen claimed three for 60.

Where is the third Test being played?

The match is being played at Newlands in Cape Town, South Africa.

When is the fifth day scheduled?

The final day is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Who is leading the Test series?

The series is tied 1-1 after two completed matches. The result of the Cape Town Test will determine the final series outcome.

Final-Day Verdict: South Africa Have Recovered, but the Hardest Work Remains

South Africa can draw enormous encouragement from the fourth day’s recovery.

Rickelton and Mulder turned a vulnerable position into a target that should challenge Australia’s batting lineup, particularly if the pitch continues to deteriorate.

Nevertheless, Australia retain reasons for confidence. They scored 429 in their first innings, possess several experienced batters, and have already demonstrated the ability to construct long partnerships at Newlands.

The decisive question is whether South Africa’s bowlers can make the final-day conditions count before Australia establish the partnerships necessary to chase 288.

South Africa were only 40 runs ahead when play began on Friday. They finished 287 ahead, having added 247 runs for the loss of their last six wickets.

The fifth day will determine whether that extraordinary recovery becomes a series-winning performance or another dramatic chapter in Australia’s ability to withstand pressure away from home.

Editorial note: This report covers play through the close of Day 4 on October 30, 2026. Australia’s fourth innings had not begun at the time of writing. The scorecards were checked against the supplied match data, while match developments and series context were corroborated with the ICC and Cricket Australia. No Day 5 result has been assumed.