Wiaan Mulder’s quiet control gives South Africa a foothold against Australia
South Africa’s understated all-rounder makes his mark
Wiaan Mulder gave South Africa a crucial foothold on the opening day of their Test series against Australia, dismissing Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne as the visitors reached 187 for six before bad light brought play to an early close.
Mulder first had Head caught behind down the leg side in the eighth over, with a review confirming the decision after the on-field call had gone against South Africa. He struck again just before lunch, trapping Labuschagne lbw after the batter reviewed the decision. That wicket came with the ball 26 overs old, underlining that Mulder’s threat was not limited to the new ball.
Control, not spectacle
Mulder’s role stood out in a pace attack featuring the imposing Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortjé. South Africa were also without Kagiso Rabada, ruled out with a hamstring injury, making Mulder’s contribution especially valuable. He shared the new ball with Jansen and supplied the control that helped keep Australia under pressure.
Captain Temba Bavuma pointed to Mulder’s value both as a batter and as a bowler with the new ball. Mulder has scored three Test centuries, including an unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe, and has taken on new-ball duties across 10 Test innings. In six of those innings he went wicketless, but in as many he conceded fewer than three runs an over.
Australia batter Matt Renshaw, who was unbeaten on 46 from 115 balls, said he had to resist attacking when Mulder found movement: “When Mulder came on and it was swinging and nipping around, I was trying to hold myself back.”
Nortjé praises Mulder’s pressure
Nortjé described Mulder as consistent and difficult to score from, noting the energy he puts into the ball and his ability to hit the pitch hard. “He’s got to bore batters. He’s got to hit the areas,” Nortjé said, praising the pressure Mulder applies through accuracy.
Jansen also contributed, recovering from an indifferent first spell to take the wicket of Nic Maddinson and later claim Steven Smith, caught in the gully by Mulder. Nortjé added two late wickets, removing Alex Carey and Beau Webster in successive deliveries. But it was Mulder’s quietly persistent work that helped South Africa remain firmly in the contest.