Wiaan Mulder has stepped up as South Africa’s newest Test captain, becoming the sixth player to lead the Proteas in just two seasons.
A New Captain Steps Up
Wiaan Mulder, affectionately known as “Mr. Cool” for his calm demeanor, has taken the reins as South Africa’s Test captain. This unexpected leadership role comes after regular captain Keshav Maharaj was sidelined with a groin injury.
Mulder is now the 18th player to lead the Proteas in Test cricket since their re-entry into the international arena post-Apartheid. His appointment highlights the dynamic nature of South Africa’s Test squad management in recent times.
Deepening the Leadership Pool
South Africa, the reigning World Test Champions, has seen a remarkable turnover in captaincy over the past two years. This trend is largely due to their packed schedule, player rotation across formats, and a deliberate strategy to broaden their leadership cohort.
Mulder’s captaincy follows a line of recent leaders including Keshav Maharaj (1 Test, 2025), Temba Bavuma (10 Tests, 2023-25), Neil Brand (2 Tests, 2024), Dean Elgar (18 Tests, 2017-2024), and Aiden Markram (2 Tests, 2024). This constant evolution means more players are getting a taste of leadership.
Mulder’s Stellar Form
The 27-year-old all-rounder has been in magnificent form, particularly in the recent Test against Zimbabwe. He not only scored a brilliant century batting at number three but also chipped in with four crucial wickets, showcasing his all-round capabilities.
His performance earned him significant praise and undoubtedly contributed to the selectors’ confidence in handing him the captaincy. He has openly expressed his enjoyment and comfort batting at the crucial number three position.
Batting at Number Three: A New Approach
Finding His Rhythm
Mulder admitted he’s been working on his approach at number three, a spot he’s batted in since his younger days. He aims to be more positive and consistently put away bad deliveries, rather than worrying about initial mistakes.
He revealed that coach Shukri Conrad has been pushing him to loosen up and shed his inherently conservative nature. This guidance helps him focus on body language and what he wants to achieve on the field.
Mental Game Strong
For Mulder, his current success boils down to a strong mental routine and focus. He feels his game, both with bat and ball, has been in a good place since the World Test Championship.
“Put runs on board when you feeling good. Lot of times feeling and looking good doesn’t translate to runs. I’m happy it worked out well that way,” Mulder stated, emphasizing the importance of translating good form into results.
- Wiaan Mulder is South Africa’s sixth Test captain in the last two years.
- His appointment follows Keshav Maharaj’s injury and aligns with SA’s player rotation policy.
- Mulder recently scored a century and took four wickets against Zimbabwe.
- He attributes his current good form to a strong mental routine and positive batting approach.
The Proteas continue to broaden their player and leadership base, a strategy that appears to be strengthening the squad’s depth and resilience across formats.
