South Africa tighten grip at Newlands as Mulder and Rickelton centuries leave Australia with a mountain to climb

South Africa tightened their grip on the Newlands Test on the fourth day, leaving Australia with the second-highest successful run chase in the 137-year history of Test cricket at the ground. The hosts lost only one wicket in the first two sessions before a cluster fell after tea, but the day still belonged to the home side and set up an intriguing tussle on Saturday. Australia toiled for long periods, taking a single wicket before tea, and will need to score at more than three runs an over against a South African attack that has been resting for more than a day and a half. South Africa resumed on the fourth morning at 140 for four and lost only Matthew Breetzke (43) in two sessions. He fell to a pull shot and was caught on the boundary, a familiar mode of dismissal for the home side in this Test. Australia’s bowlers kept probing, but the batters offered few chances and made them wait. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put on 154 for the sixth wicket. They took few risks, played the ball on merit and accumulated runs steadily. Mulder top-scored with 115, his fourth Test century, while Rickelton made 101. The pair ensured Australia will need to complete the second-highest successful run chase in 137 years of Test cricket at Newlands. Rickelton told reporters, “It was about trying to win the small moments. We knew we were effectively 40 for four this morning and that Australia would come hard at us.” He added, “It was about spending time at the crease rather than worrying about scoring runs or getting too far ahead of ourselves. We had our plans and needed to stick to them. We knew the longer we batted, the more frustrated Australia would become. Perhaps they expected things to happen quite quickly because of the deteriorating wicket.” South Africa’s plan was clear: bat time, tire the bowlers and set a target that would create pressure in the fourth innings. Newlands was becoming harder for batting. Nathan Lyon found turn and the seamers encountered variable bounce. Lyon finished with 2-101, but the batters handled him with care and discipline. Mulder was the last man out as he tried to up the tempo, caught on the boundary to bring the day to a close. Australia will need considerably more than three runs an over in the chase. That rate may sound manageable, but on a deteriorating surface and against a fresh South African attack, it could be a difficult task. The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first Test by 214 runs in Durban and South Africa responded with a victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. The winners of this match will occupy the number one spot in the Test world rankings, which is currently held by Australia. Australia’s day was one of hard work. They took only one wicket in the first two sessions. There was some success after tea, but by then South Africa had built a substantial score. Lyon found turn, but the batters played him well. The seamers struggled to build sustained pressure because of inconsistent bounce. For South Africa, Rickelton and Mulder were the heroes. Their centuries gave the hosts the position they wanted and left Australia with a record-level challenge. Breetzke made 43 but could not convert his start into a bigger score. The other batters also contributed, and the team batted for long periods. Saturday now promises to be fascinating. Australia will need to survive and score against South Africa’s pace and spin. South Africa, in turn, will want early wickets to keep the pressure on. The Newlands pitch is also becoming harder for batting. Every session, every over and every partnership could prove decisive. Australia must show patience. They will need to give the older ball time and use their feet carefully against spin. South Africa’s bowlers will keep attacking. Chasing a big target in the fourth innings requires more than aggression. Choosing the right shot, playing the ball on merit and building partnerships will be essential. The balance still favours South Africa, but Australia have a chance to fight back. If their batters build an early partnership, the pressure will shift to the home bowlers. If South Africa strike early, the road will become very difficult for Australia. The first session on Saturday will be crucial. Overall, the fourth day belonged to South Africa. Mulder and Rickelton’s centuries put the hosts in a strong position. Australia worked hard in the first two sessions but could not find enough success. They took wickets after tea, but the day ended with the home side on top. Saturday will reveal whether Australia can create history at Newlands or South Africa turn their advantage into a victory.