South African all-rounder Wiaan Mulder etched his title in cricketing historical past with a unprecedented unbeaten 367 towards Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, marking the fifth-highest particular person rating ever recorded in Take a look at cricket.
Wiaan Mulder slams monumental 367 for South Africa towards Zimbabwe
Taking part in in his twenty first Take a look at, and captaining South Africa for the very first time, Mulder struck a outstanding 49 boundaries and 4 sixes in his 334-ball marathon, lifting his group to 626/5 earlier than declaring at lunch on Day 2.
His innings noticed him transfer simply behind 4 legendary innings on the all-time checklist: Mahela Jayawardene, Brian Lara (twice) and Matthew Hayden. Regardless of being solely 33 runs shy of Lara’s world-record 400*, Mulder selected to declare the innings, showcasing team-first management over private milestones.
Mulder’s effort noticed him develop into simply the twenty ninth participant in Take a look at historical past to breach the 300-run mark and solely the second South African to take action after Hashim Amla’s 311 not out in 2012. Resuming Day 2 on unbeaten 264, the 26-year-old introduced up his triple century inside the first hour, needing simply 297 deliveries, the second-fastest in Take a look at historical past after Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball triple ton towards South Africa in 2008.
Prime 5 highest particular person scores for South Africa in Take a look at cricket:
5. Daryll Cullinan – 275 vs New Zealand in Auckland, 1999
Daryll Cullinan‘s elegant unbeaten 275 was scored towards New Zealand within the first Take a look at at Eden Park, Auckland, from February 27 – March 3, 1999.
- The innings: Cullinan got here in at quantity 4 and batted for an prolonged interval, displaying classical method and a variety of strokes. He anchored the innings, permitting different batsmen to mess around him. His innings lasted over 10 hours and 58 minutes (658 minutes) and he confronted 490 balls. He hit 27 fours and a pair of sixes, showcasing his capacity to each grind down the opposition and speed up when alternatives arose.
- Match end result: South Africa declared their first innings at a formidable 621/5. New Zealand have been bowled out for 352 of their first innings and, after being compelled to observe on, ended their second innings at 244/3, leading to a draw. Cullinan’s innings was a testomony to his immense focus and batting prowess, and it held the file for the very best particular person Take a look at rating by a South African for over a decade earlier than AB de Villiers surpassed it.
4. Graeme Smith – 277 vs England in Birmingham, 2003
Graeme Smith‘s commanding 277 got here towards England within the first Take a look at at Edgbaston, Birmingham, from July 24-28, 2003. This was his first Take a look at as captain in England and a outstanding begin to his management.
- The innings: Opening the batting, Smith led from the entrance with a robust and decided innings. He fashioned a large 338-run opening partnership with Herschelle Gibbs (179). Smith’s innings was characterised by his sturdy off-side play and his capacity to transform begins into massive scores. He confronted 373 balls and struck 35 fours, punishing something broad or brief. He confirmed immense resilience and focus towards the English bowling assault.
- Match end result: South Africa declared their first innings at 594/5. England responded with 408. South Africa then declared their second innings at 134/4, setting England a goal of 321. The match finally resulted in a draw, with England ending on 110/1. Regardless of the draw, Smith’s colossal innings was a defining second of the collection, saying his arrival as a formidable Take a look at captain and opener. He adopted this with one other double century within the very subsequent Take a look at, making the 2003 collection a landmark in his profession.
Additionally READ: ZIM vs SA: Fans erupt in joy as South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder rewrites history with stunning 367 in the second Test
3. AB de Villiers – 278 vs Pakistan in Abu Dhabi, 2010
AB de Villiers‘ scintillating unbeaten 278 was scored towards Pakistan within the second Take a look at on the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, from November 20-24, 2010.
- The innings: De Villiers got here in at quantity 5 after South Africa had misplaced early wickets. He constructed important partnerships, notably with Jacques Kallis (105) and Mark Boucher (45). His innings was a showcase of his distinctive batting model – a mix of orthodox strokes and audacious innovation. He was fast to dispatch something free and displayed wonderful management towards each tempo and spin. He confronted 418 balls, hitting 23 fours and 6 sixes, demonstrating his capacity to speed up the scoring fee.
- Match end result: South Africa declared their first innings at 584/9. Pakistan responded with 434, and the match in the end resulted in a draw. Whereas the match itself didn’t produce a winner, de Villiers’ innings was the spotlight, cementing his fame as one of the thrilling and dynamic batsmen in world cricket. It stood as the very best rating by a South African batter for nearly two years till Amla surpassed it.
2. Hashim Amla – 311 vs England at The Oval, 2012
Amla’s monumental unbeaten 311 got here within the first Take a look at towards England at The Oval, London, from July 19-23, 2012. This innings was a masterclass in affected person, disciplined, and in the end devastating Take a look at match batting.
- The innings: Amla got here to the crease after Smith supplied a stable begin. He then fashioned a record-breaking 377-run partnership for the third wicket with Kallis, who himself scored a powerful 182 not out. Amla’s innings was characterised by his serene temperament, beautiful timing, and minimal false pictures. He batted for an unimaginable 790 minutes (over 13 hours), going through 529 deliveries. His 35 fours have been all crisply struck, demonstrating his classical method.
- Match end result: South Africa declared their first innings at a colossal 637/2. England have been then bowled out for 240 of their first innings and 102 of their second innings, resulting in a complete innings and 12-run victory for South Africa inside 4 days. Amla’s innings not solely set a brand new South African particular person Take a look at file on the time but additionally laid the inspiration for a dominant collection efficiency that noticed South Africa clinch the collection 2-0 and obtain the primary Take a look at rating. His endurance and talent to put on down the English bowlers have been key.
1. Wiaan Mulder – 367 vs Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, 2025*
Mulder’s monumental, unbeaten 367 got here within the second Take a look at towards Zimbabwe on the Queens Sports activities Membership in Bulawayo in July 2025. Dealing with 334 balls, Mulder’s innings was adorned with a staggering 49 fours and 4 sixes, showcasing an aggressive but composed strategy. South Africa, with Mulder on the helm as stand-in captain, declared their first innings at a colossal 626/5. This declaration, made at lunch on Day 2, got here regardless of Mulder being on the cusp of breaking Lara’s world file of 400 not out, prioritizing the group’s alternative to drive a end result. As of the present time (July 7, 2025), the match is ongoing, with South Africa in a dominant place after their declaration. Mulder’s innings not solely set a brand new nationwide file but additionally underscored his management and batting prowess.
Additionally READ: ZIM vs SA 2025 Live Streaming: When and where to watch Zimbabwe vs South Africa Test series on TV and online
