# Rickelton and Mulder centuries set Australia 288 target in South Africa vs Australia Test _South Africa recovered from 181 for 5 to post 387 in their second innings at Newlands._ - Publisher: Apex Sports News (https://apexsportsnews.in) - Canonical URL: https://apexsportsnews.in/news/rickelton-and-mulder-centuries-set-australia-288-target-in-south-africa-vs - Author: Rohit, Sports writer (https://apexsportsnews.in/author/rohit) - Published: 2026-10-31T03:53:19.312Z - Section: Cricket - Topics: South Africa, Australia, Test cricket, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder ## Summary Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries to help South Africa set Australia a target of 288 runs in the third Test. ## Key takeaways - Rickelton scored 101 off 219 balls and Mulder made 115 off 221 balls - The pair added 154 runs for the sixth wicket - South Africa were dismissed for 387 in their second innings - Australia need 288 runs to win on a turning Newlands surface - Pat Cummins used eight bowlers during South Africa's innings ## Article South Africa set Australia a fourth-innings chase of 288 runs in the third Test at Newlands after Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries on day four. ## What we know South Africa resumed at 140 for 4 with a lead of 40 runs after trailing Australia by 100 runs in the first innings. They were dismissed for 387 in the last over. Rickelton struck 101 off 219 deliveries while Mulder made 115 from 221 balls. The pair combined for a crucial 154-run sixth-wicket partnership after South Africa were in a hole at 181 for 5. Matthew Breetzke made 43 off 121 balls before falling to Pat Cummins, ending Cummins’ barren run of 374 balls without a wicket since the opening Test. Mulder reached his fourth Test century and added 36 runs with Kagiso Rabada for the last wicket before falling on the third last ball of the day when he holed out to Cummins. Rickelton was run out after a mix-up involving Josh Inglis and Marnus Labuschagne. Australia used eight bowling options, with Mitchell Starc taking 3 for 65. ## Why it matters This is the third Test between the top two teams in the world, and the series is headed for a nerve-jangling climax. Australia could not break the Proteas’ left-right batting combination for the third time in the game. South Africa showcased patience and application after their reckless approach earlier in the match, though they suffered another lower-order collapse after Rickelton’s dismissal, losing three more wickets for the addition of just 16 runs. Marco Jansen holed out for a duck after falling to a Mitchell Starc short ball. ## What happens next Australia will bat on the final day on a turning Newlands surface. Simon Harmer looms as the main threat given the large footmarks on the pitch, while Nathan Lyon finished with 2 for 101 off 44 overs. ESPNcricinfo said Australia will still be confident of chasing down the total. ### Related on Apex Sports News - [Australia take control in third Test against South Africa](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/australia-take-control-in-third-test-against-south-africa) - [Ayush Badoni matches Kohli and Gambhir with consecutive double centuries](https://apexsportsnews.in/news/ayush-badoni-matches-kohli-and-gambhir-with-consecutive-double-centuries) ### Sources - [ESPNcricinfo](https://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1560745.html?ex_cid=OTC-RSS) - [RevSportz](https://revsportz.in/sa-vs-aus-rickelton-and-mulder-script-stunning-fightback-to-set-australia-288-to-win/) - [Photo: Dave Morton, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2_40_Ryan_Rickleton.jpg) --- Source: Apex Sports News, https://apexsportsnews.in/news/rickelton-and-mulder-centuries-set-australia-288-target-in-south-africa-vs. Please cite and link the original article when quoting.