Rickelton and Mulder centuries give South Africa a chance of victory in the decisive Test against Australia

Rickelton and Mulder turn the decisive Test around

Former schoolmates Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries and turned the decisive third Test in South Africa's favour at Newlands, AFP reports. Rickelton made 101 and Mulder 115, after which South Africa were bowled out for 387 in the final over of day four. Australia have been set a target of 288 runs for the final day. The series between the two leading Test teams is level at 1–1, so the fifth day will decide its outcome.

How day four unfolded

South Africa began the day on 140 for four — with a first-innings deficit of 100 runs, this effectively meant a precarious 40 for four. Matthew Breetzke (43) helped Rickelton withstand the early pressure, and then Mulder joined him, the pair adding 154 runs for the sixth wicket. Only one wicket fell in the first five hours of the day. Only shortly before the tea break was Rickelton run out, which triggered a collapse: four wickets fell for 16 runs — another twist in a series full of shifts in momentum. However, Kagiso Rabada — another St Stithians old boy — held one end with Mulder, who reached his century in a last-wicket partnership worth 36 runs.

Assessments ahead of day five

Rickelton called batting with Mulder special: he said they had played a lot together since their teenage years and knew each other's games well. 'We knew that the longer we batted, the more frustrated the Australians would become,' he said, adding that batting out three sessions would be a big task for Australia, 'but we have hard work ahead of us too.' Australia's bowling coach James Franklin noted that the pitch had not deteriorated noticeably, especially for the fast bowlers, although the spinners got some turn. 'It's set up for a great final day of the series,' AFP quotes him as saying.