When discussing the most runs in Test innings, Wiaan Mulder’s extraordinary 367* against Zimbabwe stands as one of cricket’s most remarkable individual performances. The South African all-rounder didn’t just score runs – he systematically demolished record books across multiple categories, creating history with virtually every milestone he reached during his epic 334-ball innings at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
Mulder broke an astounding 15+ major records with his 367*, from becoming the youngest captain to score a triple century to setting the fastest 350 in Test cricket history.
Table of Contents
The Magnitude of Mulder’s Record-Breaking Spree
Wiaan Mulder, captaining South Africa for the first time in only his 21st Test, posted the fifth-highest individual Test score by blasting an unbeaten 367 off 334 balls in Bulawayo against Zimbabwe. What makes this innings truly special isn’t just the score itself, but the sheer number of records that fell during his remarkable knock.
1. South African Test Cricket Records
Highest Individual Score by a South African
| Previous Record | New Record |
|---|---|
| Hashim Amla – 311* vs England (2012) | Wiaan Mulder – 367 vs Zimbabwe (2025)* |
Mulder’s 367* is also the second-highest individual score by a South African in first-class cricket, behind the 390 by Stephen Cook for Lions against Warriors during the SuperSport Series in 2009-10.
Highest Score by a South African Captain
Mulder’s 367* is also the highest score by a South African captain in an innings. He is the first Proteas skipper to have hit a triple hundred, going past the previous record of Graeme Smith, who had slammed 277 against England in 2003.
Most Boundaries by a South African in Test Cricket
Mulder smashed 34 fours and three sixes, which is the most fours and sixes combined in an innings by a South Africa batter. Graeme Smith held this record, hitting 35 fours (but no sixes) during his career-best 277 in 2003.
Updated Record: The 49 fours that Mulder hit are also the second most in a Test innings behind Edrich, who hit 52 fours during his unbeaten 310.
2. World Records in Test Cricket
Highest Score in an Away Test Match
| Category | Previous Record | New Record |
|---|---|---|
| Away Test Score | Hanif Mohammad – 337 vs WI (1958) | Wiaan Mulder – 367 vs Zimbabwe (2025)* |
| Years Record Stood | 67 years | Current |
Highest individual score by any batter in an away Test, going past Hanif Mohammad’s 337 in Bridgetown in 1958.
Fastest to Reach 350 in Test Cricket
Mulder took 27 more balls to bring up his 350, off 324 balls, the fastest by any batter in Test cricket. Hayden held the previous fastest 350, off 402 balls, also against Zimbabwe in 2003.
| Milestone | Player | Balls | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fastest 350 | Wiaan Mulder | 324 | Zimbabwe | 2025 |
| Previous Record | Matthew Hayden | 402 | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
Second-Most Boundaries in a Test Innings
53 Number of boundaries that Mulder hit during his knock (49 fours and 4 sixes), the second most by any batter in a Test innings, behind 57 by John Edrich (52 fours and 5 sixes) during his 310* against New Zealand in 1965.
3. Captaincy Debut Records
First Triple Century on Test Captaincy Debut
First player in history to score a triple ton in his first ever innings as Test captain.
Historical Context:
- Mulder went past New Zealand’s Graham Dowling, who had scored 239 in his first innings as captain, against India in Christchurch in 1968
- Only double centuries had been scored on captaincy debut before Mulder
Youngest Captain to Score a Triple Century
At 27 years and 138 days, he became the youngest captain in Test history to score a triple century, overtaking Australia’s Bob Simpson, who was 28 years and 171 days when he made 311 against England back in 1964.
4. Speed and Strike Rate Records
Second-Fastest Triple Century in Test History
Mulder brought up his triple century off 297 balls in the first hour of the second day, the second-fastest after Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort (vs South Africa in 2008).
| Rank | Player | Balls | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virender Sehwag | 278 | South Africa | 2008 |
| 2 | Wiaan Mulder | 297 | Zimbabwe | 2025 |
| 3 | Matthew Hayden | 291 | Zimbabwe | 2003 |
Fastest Double Century by a South African Captain
He completed his double-hundred in 214 deliveries, the second-fastest for a South Africa batter. Only Herschelle Gibbs has done it quicker, in 211 balls against Pakistan in 2003.
5. Day-by-Day Performance Records
Second-Highest Score on Opening Day
264* Mulder’s score on Sunday was the second highest by any batter on the opening day of a Test match, behind only Don Bradman’s 309* against England at Headingley in 1930.
| Rank | Player | Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Don Bradman | 309* | England | Headingley | 1930 |
| 2 | Wiaan Mulder | 264* | Zimbabwe | Bulawayo | 2025 |
6. Team and Opposition-Specific Records
First Triple Century in Zimbabwe
Mulder also recorded the first triple-ton in Tests in Zimbabwe. He bettered Kumar Sangakkara’s 270 in 2004, also in Bulawayo.
Second-Highest Score Against Zimbabwe
His 367* is the second-highest Test score by any batter against Zimbabwe, behind Matthew Hayden’s 380 at the WACA in 2003.
Highest First-Class Score in Zimbabwe
It’s also the highest first-class score in the country.
7. Team and Match Aggregate Records
Highest Test Match Aggregate by a South African
Mulder’s knock also places him on top of the highest match aggregate by a South African player in the Test format. His 367* are five more than Smith’s 362 combined from two innings in that Birmingham Test against the Three Lions in 2003.
| Player | Match Aggregate | Individual Scores | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wiaan Mulder | 367 | 367 + (second innings pending)* | Zimbabwe | 2025 |
| Graeme Smith | 362 | 277 + 85 | England | 2003 |
8. Strike Rate and Scoring Pace Records
Exceptional Strike Rate for a Big Score
Strike Rate Analysis:
- Mulder’s 367* came at a strike rate of 109.88
- Among scores of 300+, this is one of the highest strike rates ever recorded
- Scored his final 67 runs in just 37 balls
Most Productive Partnership Acceleration
From there, Mulder scored his next 67 runs in only 37 balls in No. 7 Kyle Verreynne’s company.
9. Historical Significance Records
Fifth-Highest Individual Test Score
367* Wiaan Mulder’s score against Zimbabwe in the second Test in Bulawayo. It is now the fifth-highest individual score in Test cricket, and the highest since Mahela Jayawardene’s 374 at Colombo in 2006.
Only Second South African Triple Centurion
1 Number of South Africa batters to score a triple-hundred in Test cricket before Mulder. Hashim Amla had scored an unbeaten 311 against England in 2012 at The Oval.
Complete Records Summary Table
| Record Category | Achievement | Previous Record Holder |
|---|---|---|
| Highest by South African | 367* | Hashim Amla (311*) |
| Highest by SA Captain | 367* | Graeme Smith (277) |
| Highest Away Test Score | 367* | Hanif Mohammad (337) |
| Fastest 350 in Tests | 324 balls | Matthew Hayden (402) |
| Triple Century on Captaincy Debut | First Ever | N/A |
| Youngest Captain with Triple Century | 27y 138d | Bob Simpson (28y 171d) |
| Second-Fastest Triple Century | 297 balls | Virender Sehwag (278) |
| Most Boundaries by SA Batter | 53 (49×4, 4×6) | Graeme Smith (35×4) |
| Second-Most Boundaries in Tests | 53 | John Edrich (57) |
| Highest on Day 1 of Test | 264* | Don Bradman (309*) |
| First Triple Century in Zimbabwe | 367* | Kumar Sangakkara (270) |
The Records That Nearly Were
Brian Lara’s 400 – The One That Got Away*
Mulder was just 33 runs away from breaking Brian Lara’s 21-year-old world record of 400* when South Africa declared. This near-miss adds another layer of intrigue to his already record-breaking innings.
Why the Declaration?
- Team-first mentality over personal records
- Strategic decision to maximize winning chances
- Respect for legendary records
Impact on Cricket History
Mulder’s 367* represents more than just individual brilliance – it’s a masterclass in aggressive Test batting that has redefined what’s possible in the modern game. It’s not every day you see someone flirt with Brian Lara’s record and rewrite an entire section of South Africa’s cricketing history.
Legacy Points:
- Youngest captain to achieve a triple century
- Fastest player to multiple major milestones
- Highest individual score in away conditions
- Most aggressive approach to a 350+ score
Wiaan Mulder’s 367* against Zimbabwe wasn’t just a magnificent individual innings – it was a systematic destruction of cricket’s record books. From becoming the first player to score a triple century on captaincy debut to setting the fastest 350 in Test history, Mulder has ensured his name will be etched in cricket folklore forever.
While he may have fallen just short of Brian Lara’s ultimate record, the sheer number of milestones he achieved in a single innings makes this one of the greatest individual performances in cricket history. His decision to declare and prioritize team success over personal glory only adds to the legend of this extraordinary knock.