In cricket, there have been several famous match-saving innings. The beauty of Test cricket is that even if the match does not end in a win, it can have a significant impact on the series' outcome. A batsman's application and temperament must bat for long periods and save a match for their team.

One of the reasons why spectators lose interest in the most extended version of the game is because of drawn Test matches. However, we've seen a lot of drawn matches throughout the years, and they're just as exciting as the ones that have a winner.

Here are some tremendous innings by south African batters for their team:

10. Bruce Mitchell

After having behind 3-0 in the series to a powerful English side, Bruce Mitchell produced one of the best innings in Test cricket to save South Africa from a humiliating 4-0 defeat. The South African squad needed to see out 140 overs to save the match, so a draw seemed implausible. Bruce Mitchell, on the other hand, struck a superb 189* to salvage the Test and bring South Africa agonizingly close to causing an upset. They were bowled out for 423 runs, losing seven wickets. Mitchell had also scored 120 runs in the first innings and had only been off the field for eight minutes throughout the game.

9.  Dean Elgar

It was a recent match between South Africa and India in with Dean Elgar came with a match-saving-inning. South Africa captain Dean Elgar hit an unbeaten 96 in the second Test against India at the Wanderers on Thursday, leading his team to a seven-wicket victory. Elgar overcame a furious Indian attack and body blows from balls that struck him to lead a victorious 240-run chase, hitting a boundary to seal the win.

8.  AB De Villiers

AB de Villiers showed to the world in July 2008 that he could also play the waiting game. England batted first and amassed a score of 203 runs. South Africa scored 522 runs in response, with AB de Villiers leading the way. The right-hander hit 381 balls for a total of 174 runs. South Africa thrashed England with ten wickets to spare thanks to the South African batting maestro's innings, including 19 fours.

7. Shaun Pollock

Shaun Pollock had a tremendous third-inning performance with the ball, going 4 for 49. West Indies were bowled out for 170 runs as a result of this. To win the match, South Africa needed 164 runs in the fourth innings. On the bumpy surface of Johannesburg, it wasn't an easy track. In pursuit of the score, South Africa lost wickets at regular intervals, but Jacques Kallis remained firm at one end. With four wickets remaining, he performed an undefeated match-winning 57-run knock-off 152 balls to assist his team chase down the total.

6. Graeme Smith And Hashim Amla

In 2006, South Africa defeated New Zealand in Johannesburg and chased down the third-highest fourth innings total ever. M Ntini got the team off to a great start with the bat, picking up 5 for 35 runs. In the first innings, New Zealand has knocked out for just 119 runs thanks to his ferocious bowling. South Africa's middle-order crumbled as well, but they still managed to score 186 runs in the second innings with crucial efforts from G Smith (63 off 63) and H Amla (56 off 92).

5.  AB De Villiers

South Africa beat India by an innings and 90 runs at Ahmadabad, thanks to AB de Villiers' brilliant 217* from 333 deliveries. In the first innings, India batted first and was bowled out for just 76 runs. In response, South Africa amassed 494/7, with de Villiers leading the charge. The right-hander hit a beautiful double tonne to stump the Indians completely. India got bowled out for 328 runs in their second innings.

4. Faf Du Plessis

South Africa needed to see out four and a half sessions to rescue the game, chasing an incredible 414 runs on a worn Adelaide Oval surface. Faf du Plessis, who was making his debut, bowled a brilliant innings to help his team recover a tie. Du Plessis lasted more than seven and a half hours at the crease, scoring one of the great debut hundreds and leading South Africa to a memorable draw. The right-handed batsman finished with a score of 110*. AB de Villiers and Jacques Kallis ably assisted him. De Villiers batted against his usual manner, scoring 33 from 220 balls without a boundary, while Kallis scored 46 from 110 balls.

3. AB De Villiers

On February 21, 2016, England bowlers were stunned by AB de Villiers' spectacular willow onslaught. In their allotted 20 overs, England batted first and amassed 171 runs. South Africa responded by chasing the target down with nine wickets and 5.2 overs to spare. With the willow, AB de Villiers was the wrecker-in-chief for South Africa. The famous batsman smashed England's bowling assault with a 29-ball 71 that included six fours and six sixes.

2. Gary Kirsten

The third in a five-match series between the Proteas and a well-balanced visiting English side, the Boxing Day Test match at Kingsmead in 1999 was the third of the series. The first Test was won by the hosts, who were then held to a hard-fought draw by England. The visitors were on their way to tying the series in Durban, bundling the host team for just 156 yards. With 210 runs in hand in the first innings, England forced the follow-on. Despite being up against it, the Proteas were able to rescue a draw because of the elegant left-hander, who personified South African grit with a remarkable 275 against 642 balls. He fought for 878 minutes and guaranteed that South Africa remained in the lead in the series. South Africa eventually won the series 2-1, and Kirsten's great hit in Durban was one of the series' highlights.

1. Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla's unbeaten 37 off 278 balls to salvage a match for Surrey drew praise on Twitter, with one fan even comparing him to India's No. 3 Cheteshwar Pujara. Hashim Amla, a former South African, is being lauded to the moon and back for a magnificent century that helped Sussex preserve a County Championship match against Hampshire in Southampton on Thursday. Amla remained undefeated on 37 off 278, with Surrey following on and beginning the final day on 6/2. Even though wickets continued to fall, Amla stood firm at one end, helping Surrey reach 128/8 and avoid defeat.