Proteas legend Jacques Kallis believes Virat Kohli “will have to have a good series” if India are to make Test history in South Africa this summer.

The teams will meet in Centurion from 26 December and Newlands from 3 January.

Kohli has an excellent Test record in South Africa having scored 1,236 runs in 14 Tests at an average of 56.18, with three hundreds and four fifties.

The 35-year-old is also coming off the back of an outstanding ODI World Cup in which he scored 765 runs and was named the Player of the Tournament.

“I am sure [Kohli] will want to have a big series here in South Africa,” Kallis told Star Sports. “He has been in good form. I think he will play a major role in helping India. If they are to win here, he will have to have a good series.

“He’s a massive player, no matter where it is. Having played here quite a bit and had a fair amount of success,” Kallis added.

“He’ll be able to pass that knowledge on to the other guys, especially the younger guys and give them ideas on how to manage these conditions and then what to expect.”

India have yet to win a Test series in South Africa in eight attempts. In 2021-22, they went into the three-match series as the world’s No 1-ranked team and favourites, only to lose it 2-1.

Kallis says it won’t be easy for India to make history this time around.

“This is a good Indian team but South Africa are tough to beat in South Africa.

“Centurion will probably suit South Africa and Newlands will probably suit India.

“It will be a good series and it will come down to one or two sessions that one team might play better than the other.

“It will be a closely-fought contest.”