South Africa fight to set up exciting series finale

Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder helped South Africa stage a magnificent lower-order fightback, leaving Australia a formidable target of 288 runs to win the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 series-deciding third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.

Resuming their second innings under pressure at 140/4 on the fourth morning, South Africa were eventually bowled out for 387 in 134.4 overs.

The hosts' total was anchored by a heroic 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Ryan Rickelton (101 off 219 balls) and Wiaan Mulder (115 off 221 balls).  

The day began with South Africa seeking to build on their overnight platform. Matthew Breetzke and Ryan Rickelton started steadily, but Pat Cummins got a short ball to rise sharply in the 67th over, forcing overnight batter Matthew Breetzke (43) to mistime a pull shot straight to Mitchell Starc.

Entering at 181/5, Mulder joined Rickelton at the crease, and the pair proceeded to frustrate the Australian bowling attack across two gruelling sessions.

Rickelton compiled a gritty 101 featuring 12 boundaries before he was run out by Josh Inglis in the 120th over. Mulder continued to attack, striking 10 fours and 4 sixes in his stellar 115 before falling to Cummins as the last wicket of the day.

Following Rickelton's dismissal, it seemed as if Australia's bowling would run through the Proteas, but Kagiso Rabada gave support as the No.11 batter. He helped Mulder reach his hundred. The innings eventually folded at 387, setting Australia a target of 288 runs on Day 5.

Australia's tiring bowling attack toiled hard on a wearing surface, with Mitchell Starc finishing as the pick of the bowlers with figures of 3/65 in 24 overs. Captain Pat Cummins (2/71) and veteran spinner Nathan Lyon (2/101) picked up two wickets apiece.

Earlier in the game, South Africa had posted 329 in their first innings, to which Australia responded with 429 to claim a vital 100-run first-innings advantage.

With the three-match World Test Championship series currently locked at 1-1, both Australia and South Africa are in with a chance to claim the series.

Series schedule

First Test: 9-13 October, Durban  (Australia won by 214 runs)

Second Test: 18-22 October, Gqeberha (South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs)

Third Test: 27-31 October, Cape Town