- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder set a world record after two centuries in the Newlands Test. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both scored hundreds in South Africa’s second innings at Ce Town, becoming their first number one.
- Since 1989, 7 pairs have achieved this feat in Test cricket.
- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder (Source: ProteasMenCSA/X) At Newlands in Ce Town on October 30, 2026, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder each scored a century in South Africa’s second innings against Australia, setting a world record.
Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder set a world record after two centuries in the Newlands Test. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both scored hundreds in South Africa’s second innings at Ce Town, becoming their first number one.
Since 1989, 7 pairs have achieved this feat in Test cricket. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder (Source: ProteasMenCSA/X) At Newlands in Ce Town on October 30, 2026, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder each scored a century in South Africa’s second innings against Australia, setting a world record. The two childhood friends, both former students of St Stithians College in Johannesburg, became the first No. 1s.
7 batters each score 100 in the second innings of a Test match for the same team, ending a drought that dates back to 1989. South Africa’s second innings ended at 387 in 134.4 overs, giving Australia a final day target of 288 to win the crucial third Test of the series. The series between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw on that final day.
Rickelton made 101 from 219 balls and hit 12 boundaries before being run out in the 120th over, with Josh Inglis involved in the dismissal. Mulder followed with 115 off 221 balls, hitting 10 fours and four sixes. The pair batted for almost 54 overs together, adding 154 runs for the sixth wicket and taking South Africa from 181 for 5 to 335 for 6.
Kagiso Rabada provided useful support at the other end as Mulder proached his hundred before Pat Cummins dismissed Mulder to end the innings at 387. What makes this the first time since 1989? The feat of a No.
7 batters each scoring a century in the second innings of a Test match have only been recorded four times in the history of the format. The most recent example before Newlands 2026 was in 1989 when Australians Dean Jones and Steve Waugh each reached triple figures in a second innings against Sri Lanka in Hobart. The 37-year-old points out that the conditions, batting order and game situation are rarely aligned to allow two lower and middle order batsmen to score a hundred each in the same second of an innings.
Rickelton and Mulder are now only the fourth duo overall to achieve this goal and the first from South Africa. Their 154-run sixth wicket stand was the centerpiece of the record, giving both batsmen the time and platform to convert starts into centuries. What previous instances complete the historical record?
The second recorded case in this list involved two Australian greats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1937 when Jack Fingleton and Don Bradman scored hundreds in a second innings against England. This game at the MCG is one of the first confirmed examples of no. Seven pairs have achieved this feat, which is why it receives a special honorable mention alongside Hobart’s 1989 example when discussing this Newlands record.
With Rickelton’s 101 and Mulder’s 115 now added to this shortlist, the Proteas have positioned themselves in respected company from almost nine decades of Test cricket.
