Our Legend of the Week is former Proteas batsman Boeta Dippenaar, who celebrates his 39th birthday today.

Chittagong, Bangladesh was the venue where Dippenaar produced his finest Test innings. He joined Test debutant Jaques Rudolph at the crease in the eighth over with South Africa on 41-2, a position made less perilous by Bangladesh’s 1st innings posting of a paltry 173. Rudolph was making his Test debut and Dippenaar was a regular feature in the Proteas team. Dippenaar, being the experienced partner, helped guide Rudolph to becoming only the fifth man to score a double-century on debut. Rudolph (222 not out) and Dippenaar (177 not out) combined for the highest South African Test partnership with 429.

Dippenaar’s impressive 177 consisted of 24 fours and two sixes. A man known for his patience at the crease, he flashily waved the willow in the 369-ball knock, and led South Africa to an innings and 60 runs win.

He represented South Africa in 38 Test matches, scoring 1 718 at an average of 30.14. He had a longer ODI career, playing 107 and scoring 3 421 runs at an average of 42.23 with a highest score of 125 not out.

Photo: Hamish Blair/Getty Images