Essex Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of South African international Wiaan Mulder ahead of the 2026 season.
Pieter “Wiaan” Mulder has agreed a multi-format deal to join the Club which will see him feature in Essex colours in both the Rothesay County Championship and Vitality T20 Blast from April to June.
The South African all-rounder will play six red-ball matches and six white-ball matches for Essex during his time at Chelmsford, starting with an away fixture against Hampshire on 03 April and finishing with the ‘Battle of the Bridge’ against Kent at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on 09 June.
On signing for Essex Cricket, Mulder said: "I am really excited about joining Essex and coming back to the UK for a new challenge.
"I have always had great experiences playing here and am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together at Essex County Cricket Club."
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mulder brings vast international and domestic experience at 27 years of age. The right-handed all-rounder made his Test debut for the Proteas against Sri Lanka in 2019 aged just 20, and most recently featured in the series against India at the end of 2025, alongside Simon Harmer. Mulder was also part of the South African side that won the World Test Championship final against Australia last summer.
In total, Mulder has scored 1253 Test runs in 24 matches at an average of 35.79. With three Test centuries, his highest score came against Zimbabwe when he posted a mammoth 367 not out in July last year - placing him in the top five highest individual Test innings of all time. Bowling right-arm seam, the genuine all-rounder is a proven wicket-taker, claiming 38 Test wickets at an average of 26, with best figures of 4-32.
Mulder’s talents extend to the white-ball formats too. The 27-year-old has featured in more than 140 T20 matches, scoring nearly 3,000 runs and taking over 70 wickets, with a high score of 83* and best bowling figures of 4-14 respectively.
Essex Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Chris Silverwood, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Wiaan to Essex. He is a proven international performer and one of the most complete all-rounders in the game today.
“His ability to contribute consistently with both bat and ball will add real balance to our squad, and his experience at the highest level will be invaluable to our group.
“The Club is looking forward to seeing the impact Wiaan can make for us in both the County Championship and T20 Blast during his time with us at the start of the 2026 season.”
Everyone at Essex County Cricket Club welcomes Wiaan to the Club!
You can follow him on Instagram by clicking his name: @Wiaan_Mulder
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