We look at South Africa’s top Test batsmen against Australia ahead of their November series.
Jacques Kallis
Kallis leads the way for South Africa in the most runs scored against the Baggy Greens. He piled up 1 978 runs at an average of 40.36, including five centuries and 10 half-centuries in 28 matches.
One of his most memorable performances against Australia was his 102 in 2009 as stand-in captain for the injured Graeme Smith, helping South Africa set their highest-ever Test total of 651.
AB de Villiers
The Proteas skipper has 1 641 runs in 20 matches for the Proteas. His 169 in SA’s second innings against Australia in 2012 was vital to SA posting 569 runs after only managing 225 in their first innings. This was his best score against Australia, and his 149-run fourth-wicket partnership with Hashim Amla put the target out of reach for Australia, who lost by 309 runs, and with it the series 1-0.
With some good cricket years left in him, the South African skipper will need just 371 runs to catch up to ‘King Kallis’.
Graeme Pollock
In his impressive career, 60% of his Test matches and half of his runs came against Australia. Pollock played 14 matches, scoring 1 453 runs including five hundreds and five half-centuries. At an average of 69.19, Pollock is SA’s most destructive batsman against the Aussies.
Hashim Amla
Out of the current crop of Proteas players, Amla boasts the highest average (51.20) against Australia. In 14 matches his best score of 196 came in the final Test of SA’s series win in 2012. He’s racked up 1 280 runs, including five centuries and four half-centuries as he looks to gain some ground on the leaders in SA’s series against Australia starting on November 3.
Graeme Smith
As captain, Smith recorded his best-ever score against the Australians in the second match of their famous series win Down Under in 2012. His 122 helped SA claw back the massive 550 set by the Aussies to squeeze out a draw. In 20 matches Smith scored 1 226 runs, with three centuries and five half-centuries.
Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images
