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With South Africa taking on Zimbabwe in the two-match Test series after clinching the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 mace, beating Australia by five wickets, they are near to registering a series clean sweep. Coming into the second Test after beating Zimbabwe by 328 runs, the Protea Men continue to be on top in the second Test, awarding a follow-on to the hosts.
For the unversed, the Craig Ervine-led side won the toss and invited the Wiaan Mulder-led side to bat first. The stand-in captain led from the front, scoring a triple century during his 334-ball stay in the middle. While he became the only second triple centurion from South Africa, he also went on to each several other feats during his stay.
Wiaan Mulder becomes second triple centurion from South Africa, joining Hashim Amla
The 27-year-old top-order batter, who stood in place of Keshav Maharaj, converted his unbeaten 264 from Day 1 of the second Test to a magnificent triple century, reaching the three-figure mark off just 297 balls at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Although, he declared the innings at 626/5, he ended his knock at 367*, refraining from going past legendary Brian Lara’s record.
While his 367 not out is the highest individual score by a South African in Test cricket history, he sits only behind India’s Virender Sehwag to score fastest triple hundred. Notably, Sehwag reached the three-figure mark off 278 balls against South Africa in Chennai in 2008.
Moreover, Mulder is fifth in the list of most runs scored in a Test innings, sitting behind Brian Lara (400*), Matthew Hayden (380), Brian Lara (375) and Mahela Jayawardene (374). Furthermore, it is to be seen that Mulder’s double-century off 214 balls had already placed the Protean batter in second place on South Africa’s fastest double tons list.
While Mulder’s decision to declare the innings came leaving the cricketing community in shock, at stumps on Day 2, Zimbabwe had posted 51/1 in 16 overs after been given a follow on. The hosts trail South Africa by 405 runs with Takudzwanashe Kaitano (34* off 51) and Nick Welch (6* off 17) in the middle.
