We rate the South African XI out of 10 – after Saturday’s convincing victory over the West Indies in the first Test in Centurion.
Alviro Petersen: Now without a century in two dozen innings, Petersen is quickly becoming a veritable passenger in a vastly talented – and in-form – unit. At the very least, a safe pair of hands in the slip cordon. Rating: 3/10
Dean Elgar: Still finding his feet after being promoted to the top of the order in the wake of Graeme Smith’s retirement – and contributing well enough with the ball in the absence of JP Duminy. Rating: 6/10
Faf du Plessis: Suffered his first duck in Test cricket during a very telling spell from Kemar Roach – and later endured a viral infection that kept him off the field for the whole of day three. Rating: 2/10
Hashim Amla: A third Test score of 200 or more and a maiden victory as captain on home soil, Amla stood at the fore throughout – and earned himself and the rest of the team an extra day’s rest. Rating: 9/10
AB de Villiers: Characteristically marvelous en route to the 20th century of prolific Test career, de Villiers also resumed the role of wicketkeeper with unpunctuated ease after de Kock pulled up lame. Rating: 9/10
Stiaan van Zyl: One innings – a mighty fine century, at that – is all it took to silence doubters. Van Zyl’s arrival to the Test order has been a long time coming, well worth the patient wait. Rating: 9/10
Quinton de Kock: Only required to shepherd Van Zyl to a debut century before a nasty ankle injury ruled him out of the rest of the series, de Kock is now in a fitness race to be ready for the World Cup. Rating: 5/10
Vernon Philander: That trademark ‘fourth stump’ line served him very well in the first innings, when South Africa’s slew of right-arm seamers seemed much of a muchness. Removal of Shivnarine Chanderpaul was particularly key. Rating: 8/10
Kyle Abbott: Selected ahead of a specialist spinner, Abbott had enough to prove and held his own as fourth fiddle to the big three – Steyn, Philander, Morkel – who have served the side so well over the years. Rating: 7/10
Dale Steyn: Just two wickets away from surpassing Makhaya Ntini’s 390 and a further 30 shy of pipping Shaun Pollock as the country’s leading Test wicket-taker, Steyn typically cashed in against a batting order severely inadequate for his pace and aggression. Rating: 9/10
Morne Morkel: Deployed as second change in the first innings and with the new ball in the second, Morkel performed both roles adequately – if not spectacularly. Continues to take Abbott under his wing. Rating: 7/10
Jonhenry Wilson
