Ryan Rickelton helped South Africa tighten their grip on the third Test at Newlands, moving to 90 as the home side’s lead passed 200 during the afternoon session in Cape Town.
Rickelton shared a century stand with Wiaan Mulder, giving South Africa the steady partnership they needed after Australia kept the pressure on through Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon. The visitors had been looking for a way back into the match, but South Africa held firm as the lead kept growing.
The earlier damage for Australia came half an hour before lunch, when Breetzke was out for 43 after pulling to fine leg. Even so, South Africa recovered well, with Rickelton taking a central role in the response and pushing the innings forward with measured batting.
By the time the players returned for the evening session, Nathan Lyon was set to bowl the first over. At that stage, South Africa’s chances of victory had lessened slightly as the afternoon went on, but the growing lead also made the draw look more likely than it had earlier in the day.
What Rickelton’s innings changed
Rickelton’s contribution was less about one explosive passage and more about control. By reaching 90 and helping carry South Africa past 200 in front, he gave the innings shape and kept Australia chasing the game. That kind of resistance matters in a Test match where momentum can shift quickly, especially against a bowling attack led by Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon.
For South Africa, the partnership with Wiaan Mulder turned a tense position into a much stronger one. The lead now gives them more room to manage the rest of the match, even if Australia still have time to force an opening. The update from Newlands suggested South Africa were increasingly in control, with the draw also becoming a more realistic outcome as the session progressed. For more on Rickelton’s recent form, see Leeds Score 45-run win over Birmingham Phoenix as Ryan Rickelton fires SunRisers into second.
