Wiaan Mulder On A Roll, Breaks Multiple Records On Test Captaincy Debut

Wiaan Mulder was only given the captaincy for the second Test against Zimbabwe after skipper Keshav Maharaj had to opt out due to a groin strain. However, the temporary Protea captain showed that leadership really suited him as he bashed multiple records on his way to 264* not out at the end of Day 1’s play. With that score, he became the first South African to score a double century on Test captaincy debut. 

South Africa were sent in to bat after losing the toss, and Zimbabwe were proving their decision right by picking up both the Proteas openers for just 24 runs. However, that’s when Mulder dug in and took their attack apart, first with David Bedingham (82) and then Lhuan dre Pretorius (78). 

At the end of the day, South Africa are already 465/4, and Mulder is looking to be the second South African after Hashim Amla to score a triple-century in Test cricket. He broke multiple records on Day 1, and all of them are listed below:

Most runs scored by a South African batter in a day of a Test match

264* - Wiaan Mulder vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2025

228 - Herschelle Gibbs vs PAK, Cape Town, 2003

223 - Graeme Smith vs BAN, Chattogram, 2008

202 - Gary Kirsten vs ZIM, Harare, 2001

Highest individual score by South Africa Test captains:

Graeme Smith - 277 vs ENG, Birmingham, 2003

Wiaan Mulder - 264* vs ZIM, Bulawayo 2025

Graeme Smith - 259 vs ENG, London, 2003

Graeme Smith - 234 vs PAK, Dubai, 2013

Graeme Smith - 232 vs BAN, Chattogram, 2008

Fastest double century for South Africa in Tests

211 balls - Herschelle Gibbs vs PAK, Cape Town, 2003

214 balls - Wiaan Mulder vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2025

238 balls - Graeme Smith vs BAN, Chattogram, 2008

251 balls - Gary Kirsten vs ZIM, Harare, 2001

Batters to score a double century in the first innings as a captain

Graham Dowling (NZ) - 239 vs IND, Christchurch, 1968

Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) - 203* vs SA, Guyana, 2005

Wiaan Mulder (SA) - 200* vs ZIM, Bulawayo, 2025