Wiaan Mulder delivered one of the most sensational Test innings in cricket history with a record-shattering triple century against Zimbabwe, rewriting numerous records and placing himself among the game’s greats.
Batting at No. 3, the 27-year-old South African all-rounder hammered 300 runs off just 297 balls, registering the second-fastest triple century in Test history, behind only Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball triple in 2008. What made it even more historic: Mulder achieved this on his Test captaincy debut—a feat never seen before.
He broke Graham Dowling’s long-standing record (239 vs India, 1969) for the highest score by a captain on debut and also eclipsed Graeme Smith’s 277 (vs England, 2003) as the highest Test score by a South African skipper. His 264 runs on Day 1 were the most by any South African in a single day and second only overall for most runs scored on the opening day of a Test.
Mulder is now:
-
The second South African to score a Test triple century (after Hashim Amla’s 311* in 2012).
-
The youngest Test captain to do so at 27 years and 138 days, breaking Bob Simpson’s record (28 years, 1964).
-
The only player to score a triple ton on Test captaincy debut.
He resumed Day 2 on 264* and wasted no time bringing up the milestone. His knock was built on dominant partnerships—184 with David Bedingham and 217 with Lhuan-dre Pretorius—guiding South Africa into a commanding position after Zimbabwe had opted to bowl first.
His double century came in just 214 balls, making it the second-fastest by a South African, behind only Herschelle Gibbs’ 211-ball double against Pakistan.
Adding to the drama, Mulder's achievement came just days after India’s Shubman Gill narrowly missed out on joining the triple-century club, falling for 269 at Edgbaston.
Mulder’s epic innings marks a triumphant return to Test cricket after his Kolpak stint and now places him as a historic figure in South African cricket—not just for his numbers, but for the sheer dominance and style with which he achieved them.
