Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder shared a 154-run partnership to set up a potentially thrilling fifth and final day at Newlands on Saturday.

Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

As the shadows stretched across Table Mountain on a tension-filled fourth day, Wiaan Mulder sent the Newlands faithful into raptures when he brought up his fourth Test century.

It was a fitting conclusion to yet another fabulous day of Test cricket where the Proteas delivered a stirring act of resistance that has transformed a fragile position into one of opportunity.

Having resumed on 140/4 - effectively 40/4 - the Proteas were bowled out for 387 to set Australia 288 runs for victory on the 15th and final day of the compelling series on Saturday.

Mulder's 115 was not merely valuable because of its runs. It was important because of its timing. The Proteas’ series hopes were on the line, and he managed to absorb the examination before gradually turning it back upon the Australian bowlers.

That 100 feeling for Ryan Rickelton 🔥 #SAvAUS https://t.co/22rYAIHmCp

— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 30, 2026

But it was not a solo act. He had his fellow St Stithians alumnus Ryan Rickelton (101) alongside him for the majority of the day. The pair shared a 154-run partnership for the sixth wicket that has potentially shifted the entire momentum of the series.

In the process, Rickelton extended his love affair with Newlands. After his 259 the last time the Proteas played at the foot of Table Mountain, the left-hander delivered arguably his most poignant Test innings with his third century.

But in line with the momentum shifts of this series, and with the Proteas poised to land a potentially decisive blow, Australia struck back with two run-outs - including Rickelton’s - and the dismissal of the dangerous Marco Jansen for a duck in quick succession to keep themselves within touching distance.

That 100 feeling for Ryan Rickelton 🔥 #SAvAUS https://t.co/22rYAIHmCp

— Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) October 30, 2026

The visitors will take solace from the fact that wickets are still hard to come by on this placid Newlands surface after Rickelton and Matthew Breetzke (43) set the tone in the morning session before Mulder and Rickelton showed the template for success as the day progressed.

Either way, they will still need to complete the second-highest fourth-innings chase in Newlands’ history, which is only bettered by their very own champion 2002 Australian side that hunted down 331 with six wickets still in the bank here 24 years ago.

SCOREBOARD, DAY 4, STUMPS

South Africa: 329 & 387 (Mulder 115, Rickelton 101, Starc 3/65)

Australia: 429 all out

Australia require 288 runs for victory