South Africa’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban has taken an unfortunate turn with the loss of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the match and the upcoming second Test scheduled for December 5 in Gqeberha. Mulder, who plays a key role in both the batting and bowling departments for South Africa, suffered a hand injury during day 2 of the Durban Test. The injury occurred when he was batting in the first innings, as he was struck on the lower hand by a delivery. Following the blow, X-rays confirmed that Mulder had sustained a fracture, forcing him to leave the field for treatment.
In South Africa’s first innings, Mulder remained unbeaten on 9 runs, helping his side to a total of 191 runs. However, the 26-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder did not bowl in the first innings as the South African pace trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee took charge. Together, they dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, skittling them out for a meagre 42 runs. Mulder did make a return to the crease in South Africa’s second innings, but was dismissed for 15 runs off 31 balls, falling LBW to Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya. Following this, the South African management confirmed that Mulder would not be participating further in the current Test, nor would he be available for the second Test in Gqeberha, thus marking a major blow for the team.
To replace Mulder in the squad, South Africa have called up batter Matthew Breetzke. Breetzke, who made his Test debut against Bangladesh last month, has had a strong showing in First Class cricket and brings a wealth of experience at the domestic level. He has played in 100 First Class innings, amassing 3376 runs, which includes eight centuries and 16 fifties. Although Breetzke only played one Test match so far — a debut against Bangladesh in which he was dismissed for a duck — his solid domestic performances and experience in the longer format of the game make him a viable replacement for Mulder in the upcoming second Test.
Breetzke’s call-up is made all the more significant by the fact that he was recently bought by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 75 lakh during the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, further highlighting his value as a player in the cricketing world. Breetzke has also played 8 T20Is for South Africa, and his inclusion in the squad is expected to provide the team with extra batting depth as they prepare for the remainder of the series.
The injury to Mulder is a blow for South Africa, particularly given his importance to the balance of the team. As a pace-bowling all-rounder, Mulder has been a key figure in the Proteas’ plans, offering flexibility with both bat and ball. However, South Africa will need to adapt quickly and make the most of the resources available to them in the remaining Tests against Sri Lanka.
The loss of Mulder comes at a crucial time, as both teams are in a race to secure a place in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) in June 2023. South Africa, with a series win at home, still have a strong chance to make it to the WTC Final, but the pressure is on to perform at their best. They need a clean sweep of the two-match series to increase their chances of qualifying. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will also be aiming for at least one win in the series to keep their own WTC hopes alive, as they currently trail South Africa in the standings.
For Sri Lanka, the task will be to bounce back and challenge the Proteas, particularly after a disappointing collapse in the first innings of the Durban Test. South Africa will need to continue their momentum, but the absence of Mulder may create new challenges, especially with the team now needing to fill his all-round role in the lineup. However, players like Rabada, Jansen, and Coetzee will look to continue their strong form with the ball, while the batting lineup will need to step up, with Breetzke potentially playing a key role.
As the series moves into the second Test, the Proteas will be looking to maintain their competitive edge and fight for a spot in the WTC Final. With the current strength of their squad and the backing of key players like captain Dean Elgar, Aiden Markram, and Temba Bavuma, South Africa remains a formidable opponent for Sri Lanka. However, the loss of Mulder is a setback, and it will require the team to show resilience as they adjust to his absence and prepare for the next phase of the series.
This series is pivotal not just for the immediate outcome of the matches, but for the long-term goal of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final at Lord's. Both South Africa and Sri Lanka will continue to battle it out, with the outcome of this series potentially having significant consequences for both teams’ hopes of securing a spot in the prestigious WTC Final in June 2023.
