The South African cricket team, nicknamed Proteas, is unarguably one of the top teams in world cricket. In test cricket, South Africa has given some great batters along with quick bowlers. However, sometimes, even the best knocks cannot take them over the line. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Best Knocks in Losing Cause by South African Batters in Test Matches.’
1. Graeme Pollock
Graeme Pollock was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against Australia in the 1966 test series, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 353 runs on a road of a pitch with Graeme Pollock smacking a double century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 85-5, Pollock stitched together a 112-run stand with Peter van der Merwe. In his knock, where he spent nearly five and a half hours, he smashed 30 boundaries, scoring 209 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
2. Aubrey Faulkner
Aubrey Faulkner was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy leg spin bowling. In a game against Australia in the 1910-11 test series, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 506 runs on a road of a pitch with Aubrey Faulkner smacking a double century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 34-1, Faulkner stitched together a 107-run stand with Billy Zulch. In his 320-ball knock, where he spent nearly five and a half hours, he smashed 26 boundaries, scoring 204 runs. However, South Africa suffered a collapse in the last innings and thus lost the game.
3. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against England in the 2003 test series, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 484 runs on a road of a pitch with Herschelle Gibbs smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 63-1, Gibbs stitched together a 227-run stand with Gary Kirsten. In his 258-ball knock, where he spent nearly 5 and a half hours, he smashed 35 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 183 runs. However, South Africa suffered a collapse in 3rd inning and thus lost the game.
4. Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against India in the 2019 test series, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 431 runs on a road of a pitch with Dean Elgar smacking a century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 178-5, Elgar stitched together a 164-run stand with Quinton de Kock. In his 287-ball knock, where he spent nearly five hours, he smashed 18 boundaries and four gigantic sixes, scoring 160 runs.
5. Gary Kirsten
Gary Kirsten was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Australia in the 2002 test series, batting in 3rd innings, South Africa piled up 452 runs on a road of a pitch with Gary Kirsten smacking a century. After an awful display of batting in 2nd innings, South Africa followed on in 3rd innings, and with the score reading 17-1, Kirsten stitched together a 149-run stand with Boeta Dippenaar. In his 359-ball knock, where he spent nearly 7 hours, he smashed 20 boundaries, scoring 153 runs. However, his knock was not enough as South Africa lost the game.
6. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against Australia in the 2018 test series, batting in 4th innings, South Africa piled up 298 runs on a tricky pitch with Aiden Markram smacking a century. Chasing 417 runs in 4th innings, and with the score reading 136-5, Markram stitched together a 147-run stand with Quinton de Kock. In his 218-ball knock, where he spent nearly five and a half hours, he smashed 19 boundaries, scoring 143 runs. However, his knock was not enough to take them over the line.
7. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In a game against India in the 2010 test series, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 296 runs on a road of a pitch with Hashim Amla smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 9-1, Amla stitched together a 209-run stand with Alviro Petersen. In his 166-ball knock, where he spent nearly 4 hours, he smashed 14 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 114 runs. A collapse in 1st innings threw South Africa out of the game as they were bundled out for just 296 runs in the 1st innings.
8. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against Australia in the 2016 test series, batting in 1st innings, South Africa piled up 259 runs on a bit tricky pitch with Faf du Plessis smacking a century. Batting in 1st innings, with the score reading 161-7, Plessis stitched together a 54-run stand with Kyle Abbott. In his 164-ball knock, where he spent nearly four hours, he smashed 17 boundaries, scoring 118 runs. However, his knock was not enough as South Africa lost the game.
9. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, nicknamed Mr. 360, was unarguably one of the best players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against Australia in 2009 test series, batting in 2nd innings, South Africa piled up 220 runs on a bit tricky pitch with AB de Villiers smacking a century. Batting in 2nd innings, with the score reading 156-8, AB de Villiers stitched together a 52-run stand with Dale Steyn. In his 185-ball knock, where he spent nearly 4 hours, he smashed nine boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 104 runs. However, his knock was not enough as South Africa lost the game in 4th innings chasing a big total.
10. David Bedingham
David Bedingham is one of the best young players from South Africa, with more than handy batting in the middle order. In a game against New Zealand in 2024 test series, batting in 3rd innings, South Africa piled up 235 runs on a bit tricky pitch with David Bedingham smacking a century. Batting in 3rd innings, with the score reading 104-4, Bedingham stitched together a 98-run stand with Keegan Petersen. In his 141-ball knock, where he spent nearly four hours, he smashed 12 boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 110 runs. However, his knock was not enough as South Africa lost the game.
