ZIMBABWE'S hopes of salvaging a draw in the second Test against South Africa hang in the balance as they face the prospect of an innings defeat after Wiaan Mulder's triple-century masterclass.
The Proteas declared their innings at 626/5d, before bundling out the hosts for a paltry 170, with Sean Williams waging a lone battle with an unbeaten 83.
Williams's resistance was admirable, but ultimately in vain as Zimbabwe's batting line-up crumbled around him. Only four other batsmen managed to get into double figures, with Wessly Madhevere coming in second with 25, while captain Craig Ervine contributed 17.
Tafadzwa Tsiga and Tanaka Chivanga added 12 and 10 not out, respectively, to the team's total.
The South African bowlers were ruthless in their execution, with Prenelan Subrayen claiming four wickets for 42 runs from 10 overs.
Cordi Yusuf and Mulder picked up two wickets apiece, as Zimbabwe's batting line-up was bowled out for 170, over half of which belonged to Williams's unbeaten 83.
Mulder's masterclass was the highlight of the day once again, as he resumed day two on 264 and plundered 49 boundaries and four maximums to take his score to a record-breaking 367 not out.
His 367 came from 297 balls, making him the second-fastest triple-centurion in Test cricket history, behind Virender Sehwag's 278-ball masterstroke against South Africa in Chennai, India, in 2008.
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Zimbabwe trailed by 456 runs after the first innings. South Africa enforced the follow-on, and at stumps on day two, Zimbabwe are on 51/1, with nine wickets remaining, heading into day three.
Takudzwanashe Kaitano is unbeaten on 34 (51), walking on the road to redemption after a poor show in the first innings and both innings of the first Test. He is joined by Nick Welch on six, after Dion Myers was bowled by Corbin Bosch for 11.
The Proteas will be looking to wrap up the match and seal the series win when the play resumes on day three, while Zimbabwe will be looking to salvage lost pride.
But batting time for three days will be a mammoth task for the hosts.
