South Africa is surely among the top teams in every format of cricket. After serving a ban, the side still managed to put in some notable performances, especially in test cricket. Be it producing players like AB de Villiers, and Jacques Kallis or captains like Graeme Smith and Hansie Cronje, South Africa's contribution to cricket is great. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 Highest Score by South African Batters in Debut Test Match'.
1. Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph was one of the most promising talents from South Africa whose footwork and cover drive was worth watching. Rudolph made his test debut against Bangladesh in 2003, smashing a double century. In his 383-ball knock, where he spent nearly eight and a half hours, Rudolph scored 222 runs, hitting 29 boundaries and two monstrous sixes.
2. Andrew Hudson
Andrew Hudson was one of the finest test batters produced from South Africa who is mostly known for scoring a century on debut against a dangerous bowling lineup of Ambrose, Pattinson, and Walsh. Hudson made his test debut against West Indies in 1992, smashing a century. In his 384-ball knock, where he spent nearly eight and a half hours, Hudson scored 163 runs, hitting 20 boundaries.
3. Stephen Cook
One of the promising test match talents and finest test batters from South Africa was Stephen Cook, who had an orthodox technique in playing test cricket and he could hit many shots such as pull and drives. Cook made his test debut against England in 2016 and he scored a century. In his knock, where he spent close to five and a half hours, Cook accumulated 14 boundaries to score 116 runs.
4. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was one of the finest test batters from South Africa who could easily walk into any all-time test team of South Africa. Plessis smashed a century in the 4th innings in his debut game against Australia in 2012. In his knock, where he spent nearly seven and a half hours, Plessis scored 110 runs, hitting 14 boundaries.
5. Stiaan van Zyl
Stiaan van Zyl was one of the finest test all-rounders from South Africa who could not perform up to his potential. Stiaan van Zyl smashed a century in 1st innings in his debut game against West Indies in 2014. In his quickfire knock, where he spent nearly two hours, Stiaan van Zyl scored 101 runs, hitting 15 boundaries.
6. Alviro Petersen
Alviro Petersen was one of the finest opening batters from South Africa who could not perform up to his potential. Petersen smashed a century in 1st innings in his debut game against India in 2010 in the iconic ground of Eden Gardens. In his knock, where he spent nearly two and a half hours, Petersen scored 100 runs, hitting 16 boundaries.
7. Louis Tancred
Louis Tancred was one of the finest opening test batters from South Africa who had the ability of wearing down the opposition bowlers. Tancred smashed a half-century in 1st innings in his debut game against Australia in 1902 on the iconic ground of Johannesburg. In his gritty knock, Tancred scored 97 runs against a dangerous bowling lineup consisting of Armstrong, Trumble, and Ernie Jones.
8. Aiden Markram
Aiden Markram is currently one of the finest test batters from South Africa who can walk into playing eleven of any team. Markram smashed a half-century in 1st innings in his debut game against Bangladesh in 2017. In his knock, where he spent nearly two and a half hours, Markram scored 97 runs, hitting 13 boundaries.
9. Percy Mansell
Percy Mansell was one of the finest test all-rounders from South Africa who could walk into playing eleven of any team. Mansell smashed a half-century in 1st innings in his debut game against England in 1951 at the iconic venue of Leeds. In his knock, Mansell scored 90 runs, hitting 19 boundaries.
10. Bruce Mitchell
Bruce Mitchell was unarguably one of the finest test batters from South Africa who could walk into the all-time test team of South Africa. Mitchell smashed a half-century in 2nd innings in his debut game against England in 1951. In his knock, Mitchell scored 88 runs, showing great display of technique and ability.
