The South African cricket team, nicknamed Proteas, is indeed one of the top sides in the world. The Proteas have performed across countries and multinational tournaments and always pose a big challenge for any opponent. Their rivalry against New Zealand often results in thriller matches producing some great batting performances. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Best knocks by South African batters against New Zealand in Test.’
1. Daryll Cullinan
Daryll Cullinan was unarguably one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 1999, in a series against New Zealand, Cullinan played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a double century. With a score reaching 97-2 in the 1st innings, he stitched together a 183-run stand with Gary Kirsten. In his marathon knock, where he toiled nearly 11 hours, he scored 275 runs, hitting 27 boundaries and two gigantic sixes.
2. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team and was mostly known for having a wide range of shots. In 1999, in a series against New Zealand, Gibbs probably played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a double century. With a score reaching 127-1 in the 2nd innings, he stitched together a 315-run stand with Jacques Kallis. In his marathon knock, where he toiled nearly 11 hours, he scored 211 runs, hitting 23 boundaries and three gigantic sixes.
3. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa, with more than handy medium-pace bowling. In 2007, in a home series against New Zealand, Kallis played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. With a score reaching 20-2 in the 3rd innings, he stitched together a 330-run stand with Hashim Amla. In his knock, where he toiled nearly six and a half hours, he scored 186 runs, hitting 25 boundaries and three gigantic sixes.
4. Alviro Petersen
Alviro Petersen was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team and was an excellent opener for South Africa. In 2012, in a series against New Zealand, Petersen played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. With a score reaching 106-2 in the 1st innings, he stitched together a 200-run stand with Jean-Paul Duminy. In his knock, where he toiled nearly eight hours, he scored 156 runs, hitting 19 boundaries and a gigantic six.
5. Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar, an excellent opener in test format, was indeed one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 2017, in a series against New Zealand, Elgar played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. With a score reaching 22-3 in the 1st innings, he stitched together a 126-run stand with Faf du Plessis. In his knock, where he toiled nearly 7 hours, he scored 140 runs, hitting 24 boundaries.
6. Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten, who is mainly known as coach of India in the 2011 World Cup, was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 1999, in a series against New Zealand, Kirsten played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. With a score reaching 97-2 in the 1st innings, he stitched together a 183-run stand with Daryll Cullinan. In his knock, where he toiled nearly 6 hours, he scored 128 runs, hitting 15 boundaries.
7. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was surely one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 2013, in a series against New Zealand, Plessis played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand, smacking a century. With a score reaching 223-4 in the 1st innings, he stitched together a 113-run stand with Hashim Amla. In his knock, he toiled nearly 5 hours and smashed 14 boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 137 runs.
8. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 2004, in a series against New Zealand, Smith played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. Chasing 234 runs, with a score reaching 36-3 in the 4th innings, he stitched together a 171-run partnership with Gary Kirsten. In his knock, where he toiled nearly 5 hours, he scored 125 runs, hitting 17 boundaries.
9. Neil McKenzie
Neil McKenzie, was undoubtedly one of the best test batters from South Africa who could have easily got a berth in an all-time South African team. In 2000, in a series against New Zealand, McKenzie played one of the best innings of his career against New Zealand, smashing a century. With a score reaching 209-7 in the 2nd innings, he stitched together a 146-run stand with Nicky Boje. In his knock, where he toiled nearly 4 hours, he scored 120 runs, hitting 20 boundaries.
10. Hansie Cronje
Hansie Cronje was unarguably one of the finest test batters from South Africa who could easily walk into any all-time South African team, especially for his captaincy. In 1995, in a series against New Zealand, Cronje played one of the best knocks of his career against New Zealand, smacking a century. With a score reaching 161-4 in the 2nd innings, he put together a 64-run partnership with Jonty Rhodes. In his masterly knock, he toiled hard for almost four and a half hours and smashed ten boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 112 runs.
