Wiaan Mulder said Brian Lara “keeping that record is exactly the way it should be” after he decided to declare before reaching 400 runs.
The stand-in captain for South Africa scored an unbeaten 367 off 334 against Zimbabwe in the second Test between to the two nations.
Mulder’s score is the fifth-highest score in Test cricket and the biggest total scored away from home.
He also surpassed Hashim Amla’s 311 not out against England for the highest score by a South African player, and therefore the highest by a Proteas captain too.
Despite Lara’s record of 400 within distance, Mulder believes a ‘legend’ like Lara deserves to keep his name at the top of that list.
Mulder said: “Brian Lara is a legend. He got 400 or 401 or something against England and for someone to keep that record, it is special.
“I spoke to Shuks [Shukri Conrad] - and spoke about letting the legends keep [that record]. Lara keeping that record is exactly the way it should be.
“When I went past Hash's [Hashim Amla's] score, I did not notice [it at first] but it was pretty special.
“To be honest, I have never even dreamt of getting a double hundred, let alone a triple hundred. Most importantly, it has put the team in a good position to win this Test.
“When I started playing for South Africa, I was nowhere near good enough. I have had the opportunity to learn from some great players.
“Going to England really gave me a chance to understand what kind of batter [I want to be] and figure out [my weaknesses]. Lots of lessons [from my time in England].”
