South Africa's Wiaan Mulder Ruled Out Of Durban Test And Series Against Sri Lanka Due To Injury

South Africa's Wiaan Mulder has been sidelined for the rest of the first Test against Sri Lanka due to an injury. This setback also rules him out of the second Test, which begins on 5 December in Gqeberha.

The injury occurred on day two of the Durban Test when Mulder was hit on his lower hand while batting. X-rays later confirmed a fracture. Despite this, he remained unbeaten on 9 runs as South Africa posted 191 in their first innings.

Matthew Breetzke, who debuted against Bangladesh last month, will replace Mulder for the second Test from 5 to 9 December at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Breetzke recently joined Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL for Rs 75 Lakh during the 2025 Mega Auction.

Breetzke's only Test appearance so far resulted in a duck against Bangladesh in Mirpur. In First Class cricket, he has accumulated 3376 runs across 100 innings, including eight centuries and sixteen half-centuries.

Mulder did not bowl in the first innings as Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee handled bowling duties effectively. They dismissed Sri Lanka for just 42 runs.

The Proteas announced before day three that Mulder would not participate further in the ongoing Durban Test and confirmed his absence from the upcoming match due to his fracture.

In South Africa's second innings, Mulder managed to score 15 runs off 31 balls before being dismissed LBW by Sri Lankan spinner Prabath Jayasuriya.

Breetzke has also played eight T20I matches and last represented South Africa during their clean sweep against Bangladesh last month.

World Test Championship Stakes

Both teams are vying for a spot in the World Test Championship Final scheduled for June. South Africa needs a series sweep at home to improve their chances, while Sri Lanka must win at least one match to boost their prospects of reaching Lord's.

South Africa Squad for 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka:

Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.