Mulder surpassed the long-standing South African record for the highest individual Test score, previously held by Hashim Amla, who made 311 not out against England in 2012. 

The 27-year-old all-rounder went on to compile a magnificent 367* off just 334 balls – the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket history. Mulder resumed his innings on Monday morning on 264 not out. In the first Test’s second innings in Bulawayo, he had scored a then career-best 147 runs. Across his last two innings, he has amassed 514 runs.

Wiaan Mulder and Dewald Brevis. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

His innings included 49 boundaries and four sixes, and was a masterclass in patience, shot selection, and controlled aggression. It also marked the highest score ever made by a player on captaincy debut in Test cricket.

What makes his knock even more significant is that he was batting well over a run a ball with a strike rate of 109.88. Before the tour of Zimbabwe, Mulder had only scored 622 runs in his 19 previous Tests. After South Africa’s first innings in the second Test, he had taken his tally up to 1153 runs in 34 innings.

At lunch, the Proteas declared their first innings on a commanding 626 for 5, putting themselves firmly in control of the match. While Mulder stole the show with the bat, David Bedingham contributed 82, and teenage sensation Lhuan-Dré Pretorius added 78.

Wiaan Mulder. Photo: Zimbabwe Cricket

Pretorius’ innings came at a cost, though, as he sustained a soft tissue injury to his wrist. Although X-rays confirmed there’s no fracture, he won’t be fielding in Zimbabwe’s first innings.

Tanaka Chivanga was the pick of the Zimbabwean bowlers with 2 for 112 in 24 overs, while Kundai Matigimu took 3 for 124 in 21.3 overs. Wellington Masakadza picked up 1 for 184 in 33 overs.

South Africa leads the two-Test series 1-0 after a 328-run victory in the first Test at Queens Sports Club.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg