South Africa has been one of the greatest test-playing nations of all time. They have performed well in Test cricket and have dominated the major part of international test cricket through their bowling. The game has also witnessed great South African batsmen who have performed very well in the longest format of the game. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 highest run scorers for South Africa in international test cricket and how South African batsmen have scored a good amount of test runs for the nation to be one of the greatest test-playing nations of all time.
1. Jacques Kallis (13206)
Number one on the list of the top 10 highest run scorers for South Africa in international test cricket is one of the greatest all-rounders of the game, Jacques Kallis. He represented South Africa in international test cricket from 1995 to 2013. During this period, he played 165 International test matches for South Africa and scored 13206 runs in them at an average of 55.25 with his highest score in international test cricket being 224.
2. Hashim Amla (9282)
The second-highest run-scorer for South Africa in international test cricket is the opening batsman Hashim Amla. He made his international test debut for South Africa in 2004 and retired in 2019. He has represented South Africa in 124 International test matches and has scored 9282 runs in them at an average of 46.64. He has the highest score of 311 in international test cricket.
3. Graeme Smith (9253)
The next player on the list of the top 10 highest run scorers for South Africa in international test cricket is Graeme Smith. He played International Test cricket for South Africa from 2002 to 2014. During this time, he played 16 International test matches for South Africa and scored 9253 runs in them with an average of 48.70. He has scored 277 his highest score in tests.
4. AB De Villiers (8765)
The fourth highest run-scorer for South Africa and international test cricket is the legendary cricketer AB de Villiers. He made his international test debut in 2014 and retired in 2018. He has played 114 international test matches for South Africa and has scored 8765 runs in them at an average of 50.66. His highest International test score is 278.
5. Gary Kirsten (7289)
Next on the list of top 10 South African cricketers with the highest runs in international test cricket is Gary Kirsten. He has represented South Africa in international test cricket from 1993 to 2004. During this period, he played 101 International test matches for South Africa and scored 7289 runs in them at an average of 45.27 with the highest score of 275.
6. Herschelle Gibbs (6167)
The 6th highest run-scorer for South Africa in international test cricket is Herschelle Gibbs. He has represented South Africa in International test cricket from 1996 to 2008. In this period, he has played 90 International test matches for South Africa and has scored 6167 runs in them at an average of 41.95 with the highest score of 228.
7. Mark Boucher (5498)
The next player on the list of the top 10 highest run scorers for South Africa in international test cricket is Mark Boucher. He has represented South Africa in international test cricket from 1997 to 2012. In this period, he has played 146 international test matches for South Africa and has scored 5498 runs in them at an average of 30.54. His highest score in international test cricket is 125.
8. Dean Elgar (4864)
The eighth highest run-scorer for South Africa and international test cricket is the current South African test captain Dean Elgar. He made his International Test cricket debut for South Africa in 2012 and is currently the captain of the South African test team. He has played 76 international test matches for South Africa till now and has scored 4864 runs in them at an average of 39.54 with his highest score being 199.
9. Daryll Cullinan (4554)
Next on the list of top 10 South African cricketers with the highest runs in international test cricket is Daryll Cullinan. He played International Test cricket for South Africa from 1993 to 2001 and represented South Africa in 70 International test matches. In these matches, he scored 4554 runs at an average of 44.21. His highest score in international test matches is 275.
10. Faf Du Plessis (4163)
The last player on the list of the top 10 highest run scorers for South Africa in international test cricket is Faf du Plessis. He started playing International Test cricket for South Africa in 2012 and retired in 2021. He has represented South Africa and 69 International test matches and has scored 4163 runs in them at an average of 40.02 which his highest score being 199.
