Wiaan Mulder: South Africa’s All-Rounder Who Nearly Made History
Wiaan Mulder: South Africa’s All-Rounder Who Nearly Made History
Wiaan Mulder came within touching distance of cricket immortality last summer. Batting on 367 not out against Zimbabwe, the South African all-rounder looked certain to challenge Brian Lara’s legendary world record Test score of 400 not out — until the declaration came. It remains the innings that defined a career still on the rise.
Wiaan Mulder’s 367*: The Innings of a Lifetime
When South Africa took on Zimbabwe, few expected a record-breaking effort. But Mulder, batting with composure and increasing authority, piled up 367 unbeaten runs before captain Temba Bavuma called the innings in. He finished just 33 runs short of Lara’s 400 not out — a mark that has stood since 2004 and remains the holy grail of Test batting.
The declaration was the right cricketing call — South Africa needed time to bowl Zimbabwe out — but it denied Mulder his shot at history. Still, 367 not out stands as one of the great individual innings in South African Test history, and it announced the 28-year-old as a genuine top-order force rather than merely a bowling all-rounder.
The Making of an All-Rounder
Pieter Willem Adriaan Mulder was born on 19 February 1998 in Johannesburg. A right-hand batter and right-arm medium pacer, he made his Test debut against Sri Lanka on 21 February 2019 (cap number 336), and has since become a fixture of the Proteas setup. He was part of the squad that won the World Test Championship in 2025 — South Africa’s first WTC crown.
His Test record is genuinely impressive: 25 matches, 1,312 runs at 35.45 with three centuries, and 42 wickets at 25.71 with best figures of 4 for 32. Those bowling numbers are better than many frontline seamers, which is why coaches value him so highly — he offers the balance of a fifth bowler without weakening the batting.
Life as a Modern Cricketer
Mulder’s career reflects the modern all-rounder’s path. He has played county cricket in England for Kent, Leicestershire and now Essex, where he signed for the 2026 season, and he has featured in T20 leagues including the SA20 with the Joburg Super Kings. He has also represented South Africa in 30 ODIs and 15 T20Is, making him one of the most versatile cricketers in the Proteas system.
In October 2026 he was part of the South African side beaten by Australia at Kingsmead, Durban, where he took 4 for 68 in the first innings — a reminder that his bowling remains a genuine threat at Test level. Even in defeat, his ability to contribute in both disciplines stood out, and South Africa’s selectors continue to see him as central to their plans across formats. For more on that series, read our Australia series coverage and explore everything in our Sports section.
World Test Championship Winner
Mulder’s medal cabinet already contains the biggest prize in Test cricket. He was part of the South African squad that won the 2023-25 World Test Championship, the country’s first WTC title — a triumph built on exactly the kind of squad depth that genuine all-rounders provide. Players who can bat in the top six and bowl 20 overs a day are rare, and South Africa’s rise to the top of the Test game owed much to having one in Mulder.
That experience, combined with his county cricket education in England, has made him one of the most complete cricketers in the international game. The 367 not out may have been the headline, but the WTC medal is the proof that he belongs at the very top.
What’s Next for Mulder
At 28, Mulder is entering his peak years. South Africa’s selectors see him as a long-term asset — a player who can bat in the top six and bowl long, hostile spells. The 367 not out proved what he can do; the challenge now is consistency. If he delivers it, few all-rounders in world cricket will be more valuable over the next five years.
Career details via Wiaan Mulder’s profile.