South Africa set Australia a 288-run target in series-deciding Test

Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder helped South Africa recover in the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27 series-deciding third Test at Newlands in Cape Town. Their innings ended at 387, leaving Australia a target of 288 runs to win on Day 5.

The partnership took shape after Mulder joined Rickelton at 181/5, with the pair resisting Australia’s attack across two sessions. Their sixth-wicket stand added 154 runs, as Rickelton made 101 from 219 balls and Mulder scored 115 from 221 balls.

Rickelton struck 12 boundaries before Josh Inglis ran him out in the 120th over. Mulder hit 10 fours and 4 sixes before falling to Pat Cummins as the last wicket of the day.

Earlier, Pat Cummins dismissed Matthew Breetzke for 43 in the 67th over after a short ball prompted a mistimed pull to Mitchell Starc. The ICC published its report under the title “South Africa fight to set up exciting series finale.”