In an extraordinary display of both batting brilliance and humility, South Africa’s stand-in captain Wiaan Mulder made headlines around the cricketing world after declaring his team’s innings just 33 runs shy of breaking one of the sport’s most iconic records.

Mulder, leading the Proteas for the first time, finished on an unbeaten 367 before declaring with South Africa on 626 for 5 at lunch on Day 2 of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. His innings, the highest ever by a South African, is now the fifth-highest individual score in Test history.

Beginning the day on 264 after South Africa’s overnight 465 for 4, Mulder looked in ominous form. Remarkably, he was bowled for 247 on the opening day by Zimbabwe’s Tanaka Chivanga, only for a replay to confirm Chivanga had over-stepped, granting Mulder a reprieve—and ultimately, a place in the record books.

While the opportunity was there for Mulder to eclipse Brian Lara’s unbeaten 400 against England in 2004—widely regarded as one of the most legendary records in Test cricket—he instead chose to declare in the team’s best interest and out of respect for the West Indies icon.

“First things first, I thought we’d got enough and we needed to bowl,” Mulder told SuperSport after the day’s play.

“And secondly, Brian Lara is a legend, let’s be real. He got 400 against England and for someone of that stature to keep that record is pretty special.”

Mulder revealed that he discussed the decision with head coach Shukri Conrad before declaring.

“I was speaking to our coach Shukri Conrad and he kind of said to me, ‘Listen, let the legends keep the really big scores.’ And you never know what my fate or whatever you want to call it, or what’s destined for me, but I think Brian Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.”

Mulder’s innings was historic on multiple fronts. It is now the highest-ever Test score by a South African, surpassing Hashim Amla’s 311 not out against England in 2012. His 367 came in rapid time—he reached 300 from just 297 deliveries, the second-fastest triple century in Test history, behind Virender Sehwag’s 278-ball effort in 2008.

At just 27, and playing only his third Test as captain—South Africa’s third different skipper in as many matches due to injuries to Temba Bavuma and Keshav Maharaj—Mulder’s leadership and selflessness paid dividends as South Africa bundled out Zimbabwe for just 170 before enforcing the follow-on. By stumps, the hosts were 51 for 1, still trailing significantly.