Proteas' Mulder showed traits of a good leader
A strong characteristic of a good leader is when you put your team first ahead of self interest.
Aged just 27 in his first match as Test captain, Wiaan Mulder showed maturity beyond his years yesterday when he declared the South African first innings on 625/5 at lunch on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
In declaring, Mulder – in just his 21st Test – was just 33 runs shy of Brian Lara's highest individual Test score of 400 not out, which he set against England at St John's in 2004.
His unbeaten 367 was the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket.
Mulder, who surpassed South Africa's previous highest individual Test score of 311 not out set by Hashim Amla against England at The Oval in 2012, had plenty of time to push on towards and beyond Lara's record.
ALSO READ: Should Mulder have gone for Lara's 400 record? What the cricket world thinks
He was thumping the ball to all parts of the ground, having hit 49 fours and four sixes, and he didn't look in any danger of getting out against Zimbabwe's tame attack.
His team were scoring quickly and had more than enough moved the game forward.
Another hour of batting would not have harmed his team's chances as they pushed for a second straight win over their neighbours.
Chances to rewrite the record books don't come around often, but Mulder's selfless decision will be talked about for years to come – something you have to admire.
NOW READ: 'Let the legends keep the records': Mulder defends controversial decision
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
12 minutes ago
- The South African
Springboks vs Italy: Three players who will be on a mission
The Springboks certainly won't be short on motivation when they take on Italy in their second Test in Gqeberha on Saturday, 12 July. While the Boks secured a 42-24 win in Pretoria in their first Test of the season against the Azzurri, there is much to improve on by their standards. While there were players who were on fire, there were also those whose performances wouldn't exactly be a feature in their career highlights reel. So, with another clash against the spirited Italians coming up, here are three players to watch (for different reasons). The Springbok fullback will become the eighth South African to earn 100 Test caps on Saturday. Needless to say, it's a remarkable feat, so it goes without saying that he'd want to have a blinder come the weekend. And it's certainly something he can do. When he's good, he's great. And if he fires in his full-circle moment, it will be an unforgettable occasion. Le Roux made his Test debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, and his milestone will see him join Eben Etzebeth, Jean de Villiers, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, and Percy Montgomery in an elite group as Bok centurions. The flyhalf was in top form against the Barbarians, nailing all five of his attempts off the tee in extremely testing conditions and sparking the Boks' attack after coming on for Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in the second half. Given all the flak he's copped for his goal-kicking, that area was the most inpressive factor in an overall shining personal performance in a wet and windy Cape Town. His starting berth alongside scrumhalf Grant Williams is a mouth-watering one. And, given the wizardry magical Manie can create, we can see this as another opportunity for him to do what only he can and send out yet another reminder of his abilities (not that it's needed at this point). The Stormers loose forward was initially omitted from the Bok squad, and that alone should fuel him when he comes off the bench. Speculation was rife when Roos was left out of the initial 54-man squad. But, following Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom's injury and Roos' call-up, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus explained that his initial omission was 'nothing personal' and that they simply opted for players in better form. That alone should have a galvanising effect when he provides impact off the bench against the Azzurri. Springbok Team: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nché, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker. WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE STANDOUT PLAYERS AGAINST ITALY? Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
17 minutes ago
- The Herald
New faces impress as Proteas stretch winning streak to 10 in Zimbabwe
South Africa claimed a comprehensive innings and 236-run victory in the second match against Zimbabwe on Tuesday and stretched their current winning streak to 10 Tests. Corbin Bosch ripped out Zimbabwe's lower order, taking 4/38 on day 3 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo as the hosts, who were bowled out for 170 in their first innings, capitulated for 220 the second time around. The South Africans wrapped up a 2-0 series win. Codi Yusuf picked up two wickets and left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy three, while Wiaan Mulder ended an extraordinary match for him by knocking out the off stump of Zimbabwe's best batter Sean Williams. Besides his record-setting 367 not out in South Africa's 626/5 declared, stand-in captain Mulder also picked up three wickets in the match, with four catches, and any sense he should be concerned about his place has been extinguished. 'I don't care where they want me to play, I just want to play. Whatever plans they have for me, I'm happy to try to execute,' Mulder said.
The Citizen
40 minutes ago
- The Citizen
MaMkhize lives it up as netizens link her to the Mkhwanazi saga
From fur coats courtside at an NBA game to glamorous game reserve getaways, flamboyant businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize remains silent amid the Mkhwanazi saga. While luxury cars linked to her name are being auctioned off by the South African Revenue Service (Sars) and her once-prized football club, Royal AM, slips from her grasp, Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize continues to live life in unapologetic opulence. From fur coats courtside at an NBA game to glam game-reserve getaways, the flamboyant businesswoman remains silent, despite growing scrutiny and public questions around her ties to figures named in a weekend briefing by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. A queen without a club Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize. Picture: X The fall of Royal AM, once a rising force in South African football owned by MaMkhize, has sent shockwaves through the PSL. The team's status has reportedly been revoked due to failure to meet financial obligations, while several sources confirm that Sars is now auctioning off luxury cars linked to her name. Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize. Picture: Instagram But the Kwa MamKhize reality star and business mogul hasn't said a word. Instead, she's been posting, living the soft life, sipping sundowners with friends, posing in designer looks, and even appearing courtside in fur at a recent NBA game in Pretoria. Most recently, MaMkhize was seen enjoying a luxury safari trip, with fans questioning: 'Where's the money coming from?' ALSO READ: Mchunu to report to ANC on Mkhwanazi's allegations General Mkhwanazi speaks out Over the weekend, Mkhwanazi made explosive allegations during a media briefing. While not naming MaMkhize directly, he mentioned that certain businesspeople and celebrities 'with close ties to criminal networks' were under active investigation, leaving the public to speculate and make allegations, and the rumour mill to buzz loudly. 'Some of these individuals are parading on social media, living lavishly, while we know exactly who they associate with… their day will come,' said Mkhwanazi. This sent social media into overdrive, with many users interpreting the statement as a veiled reference to MaMkhize, all unproven allegations, and questioning her ongoing financial muscle amid mounting legal woes. Picture: X A history of high life and headaches Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize. Picture: Instagram MaMkhize is no stranger to controversy. In 2005, she was convicted of tax fraud and later paid back more than R17 million to Sars. Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize. Picture: X Her construction company, Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance and Transport, has long been under scrutiny for irregular municipal contracts. Despite her past, she has reinvented herself as a TV star, philanthropist, and luxury lifestyle icon. But the past seems to be catching up again. Netizens react Online, the public has been vocal: 'Sars is auctioning her cars, but she's dining like a queen?' Picture: X 'She's untouchable… or is she?' 'The silence is suspicious.' MaMkhize continues to serve looks and luxury online daily.
