Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put South Africa in a commanding position against Australia in the series-deciding third Test at Newlands on Friday, setting up an intriguing final day’s play.South Africa, who began the fourth day with a slender 40-run lead and six wickets in hand, finished their second innings on 387, stretching their advantage to 287 runs. Australia now need 288 on the final day to win the three-Test series, which is currently level at 1-1.Rickelton (101 off 219 balls) and Mulder (115 off 221 balls) led South Africa’s recovery with a crucial sixth-wicket partnership worth 154 runs. The pair spent nearly 54 overs together, frustrating the Australian bowlers and forcing the visitors to turn to as many as eight bowling options.South Africa were 140/4 overnight and lost Matthew Breetzke in the morning session, caught at fine leg off Pat Cummins. The Australian captain’s breakthrough ended a wicketless spell of more than 62 overs stretching back to the first Test in Durban.Rickelton and Mulder then took charge, adding 92 runs during the second session without losing a wicket. Rickelton reached his half-century off 105 deliveries, while Mulder went into the tea break unbeaten on 46. Their partnership crossed the 100-run mark after 193 balls.Australia managed to slow the scoring after tea, conceding just 13 runs in 10 overs, but the South African duo continued to build their lead. Rickelton eventually completed his third Test century off 219 balls, striking 12 boundaries. It was also the first century by a South African batter at No. 6 in the third or fourth innings of a Test since 2022.The partnership ended in unfortunate fashion when Mulder ran out Rickelton after sending him back too late. South Africa then suffered a brief collapse, losing four wickets for just 16 runs, with Gerald Coetzee also falling to a run-out after a mix-up involving Mulder.With the lower order exposed, Mulder took responsibility and shifted gears. Having taken 138 balls to reach his first 50, he needed only another 66 deliveries for his second half-century. He brought up his fourth Test hundred off 204 balls and finished with 10 fours and four sixes before falling to Cummins in the deep while attempting a pull shot.Mitchell Starc was Australia’s most successful bowler in the innings, claiming 3/65 to take his match tally to nine wickets.Australia face a challenging chase on the final day, with Newlands having witnessed a successful fourth-innings target of 331 only once, when Australia achieved it in 2002. South Africa will also draw confidence from a pitch expected to offer increasing assistance to spinners and the presence of an in-form Simon Harmer, who was rested earlier in the match.The visitors have the entire fifth day to chase 288 and clinch the series, while South Africa will look to defend their total.
