South African cricket team, nicknamed Proteas, is among the top teams in world cricket, especially in test format. While test cricket is seen as probably the toughest format, batting in the 4th innings is considered as toughest of all jobs. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 Knocks played by South African batters in 4th innings of test match'.
1. Bruce Mitchell
Bruce Mitchell was one of the most classical test openers from South Africa and one of the best reliable test opening batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 1947, Mitchell played one of the best knocks of his career against England, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 451 runs, with a score reaching 48-2, he put together a 184-run partnership with Dudley Nourse. In his knock, where he spent nearly seven hours, he scored 189 runs. Notably, the game ended in a draw.
2. Graeme Smith
Graeme Smith was one of the most classical test openers from South Africa and one of the best reliable test opening batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 2008, Smith played one of the best knocks of his career against England, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 281 runs, with a score reaching 171-5, he put together a 112-run partnership with Mark Boucher. In his knock, where he spent nearly five and a half hours, he scored 154 runs, hitting 17 boundaries.
3. AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, nicknamed Mr. 360, was one of the most unorthodox test batters from South Africa and one of the best reliable test middle-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 2008, AB de Villiers played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 414 runs, with a score reaching 179-3, he put together a 124-run partnership with Jacques Kallis. In his knock, where he spent nearly four and a half hours, he scored 106 runs, hitting nine boundaries.
4. Faf du Plessis
Faf du Plessis was one of the most classical test batters from South Africa and one of the best test middle-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the home series of 2013, Plessis played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 458 runs, with a score reaching 197-4, he put together a 205-run partnership with AB de Villiers. In his knock, where he spent nearly six and a half hours, he scored 134 runs, hitting 15 boundaries.
5. Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was one of the most classical test batters from South Africa and one of the best reliable test top-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the home series of 2011, Amla played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 236 runs, with a score reaching 27-1, he put together a 195-run partnership with Graeme Smith. In his knock, where he spent nearly three hours, he scored 112 runs, hitting 21 boundaries.
6. Herschelle Gibbs
Herschelle Gibbs was one of the most classical test batters from South Africa and one of the best reliable test top-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the home series of 2002, Gibbs played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 335 runs, he put together a 142-run opening partnership with Gary Kirsten. In his knock, where he spent nearly five hours, he scored 104 runs, hitting 15 boundaries.
7. Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar was one of the most classical test openers from South Africa and one of the best reliable test opening batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 2017, Elgar played one of the best knocks of his career against England, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 492 runs, with a score reaching 52-4, he put together a 108-run partnership with Temba Bavuma. In his knock, where he spent nearly five and a half hours, he scored 136 runs, hitting 20 boundaries. Notably, it came in a losing cause.
8. Daryll Cullinan
Daryll Cullinan was one of the most classical test batters from South Africa and one of the best reliable test middle-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the home series of 1997, Cullinan played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 356 runs, with a score reaching 95-7, he put together a 127-run partnership with Lance Klusener. In his knock, where he spent nearly four and a half hours, he scored 122 runs, hitting 15 boundaries and a gigantic six. Notably, the game ended in a draw.
9. Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph was one of the most classical test batters from South Africa and one of the best reliable test middle order batter who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 2005, Rudolph played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 491 runs, with a score reaching 138-4, he put together a 112-run partnership with Justin Kemp. In his knock, where he spent nearly four and a half hours, he scored 102 runs, hitting 13 boundaries. Notably, the game ended in draw.
10. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis was one of the most classical test all-rounders from South Africa and one of the best reliable test middle-order batters who could walk into any all-time team of South Africa. In the away series of 1997, Kallis played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in the 4th innings. Chasing 381 runs, with a score reaching 88-3, he put together a 123-run partnership with Hansie Cronje. In his knock, where he spent nearly six hours, he scored 101 runs, hitting six boundaries. Notably, the game ended in a draw.
