Hundreds by Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put South Africa in the driver’s seat and set a target of 288 runs for Australia in the series decider

South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton celebrates his hundred with his teammate Wiaan Mulder (AP/PTI) Centuries from Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put South Africa in the lead against Australia in the series-deciding third Test at Newlands on Friday, setting up an interesting final day of play.South Africa, who started the fourth day with a slender lead of 40 runs and six wickets in hand, finished their second innings on 387, stretching their advantage to 287 runs. Australia now need 288 on the final day to win the three-Test series, which is currently level at 1-1.Rickelton (101 off 219 balls) and Mulder (115 off 221 balls) led South Africa’s recovery with a crucial sixth wicket partnership of 154 runs. The pair spent nearly 54 overs together, frustrating the Australian bowlers and forcing the visitors to turn to eight bowling options.South Africa were 140/4 overnight and lost Matthew Breetzke in the morning, caught by Pat Cummins at fine leg. The Australian skipper’s breakthrough ended a wicketless spell of over 62 overs that stretched into the first Test in Durban.Rickelton and Mulder then took charge and added 92 runs during the second innings without losing a wicket. Rickelton reached his half-century from 105 deliveries while Mulder went into the tea break unbeaten on 46. Their partnership crossed the 100-run mark in 193 balls.Australia managed to slow down the score after tea, conceding just 13 runs in 10 overs, but the South African duo continued to build their lead. Rickelton eventually completed his third Test century off 219 balls, hitting 12 boundaries. It was also the first century by a South African batsman at No.6 in the third or fourth innings of a Test since 2022.The partnership ended in an unfortunate fashion when Mulder ran out of Rickelton after sending him back too late. South Africa then suffered a brief collapse, losing four wickets for just 16 runs, with Gerald Coetzee also falling to a run-out following a plot involving Mulder.With the lower order exposed, Mulder took charge and shifted gears. After taking 138 balls to reach his first 50, he needed just 66 more deliveries for his second half-century. He scored his fourth Test hundred from 204 balls and finished with 10 fours and four sixes before falling to Cummins in the deep while attempting a pull.Mitchell Starc was Australia’s most successful bowler in the innings as he claimed 3/65 to take his tally to nine wickets.Australia face a tough chase on the final day, with Newlands having witnessed a successful fourth-innings target of 331 only once, when Australia achieved it in 2002. South Africa will also draw confidence from a pitch that is expected to offer increasing assistance to the spinners and a presence in the form of Simon Harmer, who was rested earlier in the match.The visitors have the entire fifth day to chase 288 and clinch the series, while South Africa will look to defend their total.