South Africa dominate Newlands as Rickelton and Mulder centuries pile pressure on Australia

South Africa made Australia toil on the fourth day at Newlands, taking control of the Test and setting up an intriguing tussle for Saturday. Australia took only one wicket in the first two sessions before a burst after tea, but the day still belonged to the home side. Resuming at 140 for four, South Africa lost only Matthew Breetzke (43) across two sessions. He fell to a pull shot and was caught on the boundary, a familiar dismissal for the home side in this Test. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder put on 154 for the sixth wicket. Rickelton made 101 and Mulder top-scored with 115, his fourth Test century. The pair took few risks and accumulated runs, ensuring Australia will need to complete the second-highest successful run chase in 137 years of Test cricket at Newlands. It was not just a stand of runs; it was a test of Australia's patience. Rickelton told reporters: “It was about trying to win the small moments. We knew we were effectively 40 for four this morning and that Australia would come hard at us. It was about spending time at the crease rather than worrying about scoring runs or getting too far ahead of ourselves. We had our plans and needed to stick to them. We knew the longer we batted, the more frustrated Australia would become. Perhaps they expected things to happen quite quickly because of the deteriorating wicket.” Spinner Nathan Lyon took 2-101 and found considerable turn, while the seamers had to deal with variable bounce. Mulder was the last man out as he tried to up the tempo, caught on the boundary to bring a close to the day. South Africa's strategy was clear: respect good balls, punish loose ones and make Australia bowl long spells. Rickelton and Mulder did exactly that. Australia now face a clear challenge. They will need considerably more than three runs an over against a South African attack that has had its feet up for more than a day-and-a-half. The home bowlers will be fresh and will have the confidence of a big total behind them. Australia must not only score runs but also break the patience of the South African bowlers. If the hosts strike early, the pressure will quickly shift. The series is level at 1-1. Australia won the first Test by 214 runs in Durban, and South Africa responded with a victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha. The winner of this match will occupy the number one spot in the Test world rankings, which is currently held by Australia. That makes the Newlands Test more than a series decider; it is also a fight for the top ranking. South Africa's position is built on the Rickelton-Mulder partnership. On the fourth morning, the hosts were 140 for four and Australia hoped for quick wickets. Breetzke's dismissal followed a familiar pattern in this Test, but Rickelton and Mulder ensured there would be no collapse. Their patience gave South Africa control and left Australia with a daunting chase. Saturday will decide whether Australia can meet that challenge or South Africa can turn their advantage into a win. Australia need to score quickly without losing wickets, while South Africa will look to take regular wickets with fresh bowlers. Rickelton said the longer South Africa batted, the more frustrated Australia would become; now the question is whether the same plan works with the ball. Newlands has offered a balanced contest. Lyon found turn, and the seamers had variable bounce to work with. Australia will need the right mix of patience and aggression in their chase. South Africa's pace attack is fresh after more than a day and a half of rest, while Lyon remains Australia's main spin threat after his 2-101. Saturday promises a close tussle between scoreboard pressure and disciplined bowling.