List of South Africa Test cricket records

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket played at international level.[1] A Test match is scheduled to take place over a period of five days,[a][b] and is played by teams representing full member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[5][6] This is a list of South African Test cricket records. It is based on the List of Test cricket records, but concentrates solely on records dealing with the South African Test cricket team, and any cricketers who have played for them.

Key[edit]

The top five records are listed for each category, except for the team wins, losses, draws and ties and the partnership records. Tied records for fifth place are also included. Explanations of the general symbols and cricketing terms used in the list are given below. Specific details are provided in each category where appropriate. All records include matches played for India only, and are correct as of January 2020.

Key
Symbol Meaning
† Player or umpire is currently active in Test cricket
* Player remained not out or partnership remained unbroken
♠ Test cricket record
d Innings was declared (e.g. 8/758d)
Date Starting date of the Test match
Innings Number of innings played
Matches Number of matches played
Opposition The team India was playing against
Period The time period when the player was active in Test cricket
Player The player involved in the record
Venue Test cricket ground where the match was played

Team records[edit]

Overall Record[edit]

Matches Won Lost Drawn Tied Win %
459 177 158 125 0 38.56
.Last Updated: 11 March 2023[7]

Team wins, losses, draws and ties[edit]

As of March 2023, South Africa has played 459 Test matches resulting in 177 victories, 158 defeats and 124 draws for an overall winning percentage of 38.56.[7]

Opponent Matches Won Lost Draw Tied % Won % Lost % Drew
 Australia 101 26 54 21 0 25.74 53.46 20.79
 Bangladesh 14 12 0 2 0 85.71 0.00 14.28
 England 156 35 66 55 0 22.43 42.30 35.25
 India 42 17 15 10 0 40.47 35.71 23.80
 New Zealand 47 26 5 16 0 55.31 10.63 34.04
 Pakistan 28 15 6 7 0 53.57 21.42 25.00
 Sri Lanka 31 16 9 6 0 51.61 29.03 19.35
 West Indies 32 22 3 7 0 68.75 9.37 21.87
 Zimbabwe 9 8 0 1 0 88.88 0.00 11.11
Statistics are correct as of  South Africa v  West Indies at The Wanderers Stadium, 2nd Test, 8 March-11 March 2023.[8]

First Test series wins[edit]

Opponent Year of first Home win Year of first Away win
 Afghanistan YTP YTP
 Australia 1967 2009
 Bangladesh 2002 2003
 England 1906 1935
 India 1992 2000
 Ireland YTP YTP
 New Zealand 1954 1932
 Pakistan 1995 1997
 Sri Lanka 1998 1993
 West Indies 1999 2001
 Zimbabwe 1999 1995
Last updated: 20 June 2020[9]

First Test match wins[edit]

Opponent Home Away
Venue Year Venue Year
 Afghanistan YTP YTP YTP YTP
 Australia Johannesburg 1966 Adelaide 1911
 Bangladesh Durban 2002 Chittagong 2004
 England Johannesburg 1906 Lord's 1935
 India Port Elizabeth 1992 Kolkata 1996
 Ireland YTP YTP YTP YTP
 New Zealand Durban 1953 Christchurch 1932
 Pakistan Johannesburg 1995 Faisalabad 1997
 Sri Lanka Cape Town 1998 Colombo (SSC) 1993
 West Indies Johannesburg 1998 Port of Spain 2001
 Zimbabwe Bloemfontein 1999 Harare 1995
Last updated: 20 June 2020[10]

Team scoring records[edit]

Most runs in an innings[edit]

The highest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the series between Sri Lanka and India in August 1997. Playing in the first Test at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the hosts posted a first innings total of 6/952d. This broke the longstanding record of 7/903d which England set against Australia in the final Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval. The second Test of the 2003 series against the England saw South Africa set their highest innings total of 682/6d.[11][12]

Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 682/6d  England Lord's Cricket Ground, London, England 31 July 2003
2 658/9d  West Indies Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 December 2003
3 651  Australia Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa 19 March 2009
4 637/2d  England The Oval, London, England 19 July 2012
5 627/7d  England Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa 2 January 2016
Last updated: 20 June 2020[13]

Highest successful run chases[edit]

South Africa's highest fourth innings total is 450/7 in an unsuccessful run chase against India at Johannesburg in December 2013. India had set a target of 457. South Africa's second highest fourth innings total of 423/7 came in another draw against England at The Oval in 1947. South Africa's highest successful run chase occurred against Australia at Perth in 2008, and is also the second highest successful fourth innings total. Australia had set South Africa a target of 414[14]

Rank Score Target Opposition Venue Date
1 414/4 414  Australia WACA Ground, Perth, Australia 17 December 2008
2 340/5 335 Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 15 March 2002
3 297/4 295 Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 6 February 1953
4 287/9 284  England Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 2 January 1906
5 283/5 281 Edgbaston, Birmingham, England 30 July 2008
Last updated: 20 June 2020[15]

Fewest runs in an innings[edit]

The lowest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the second Test of England's tour of New Zealand in March 1955. Trailing England by 46, New Zealand was bowled out in their second innings for 26 runs.[16] The lowest score in Test history for South Africa is 30 scored twice against England in 1896 and 1924.[17][18]

Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 30  England St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 13 February 1896
Edgbaston, Birmingham, England 14 June 1924
3 35 Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 1 April 1899
4 36  Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 12 February 1932
5 43  England Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 25 March 1889
Last updated: 20 June 2020[17]

Most runs conceded in an innings[edit]

The highest innings total scored against South Africa is by Sri Lanka when they scored 756/5d in the first Test of the South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka in 2006 at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.[12]

Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 756/5d  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 27 July 2006
2 747  West Indies Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda 29 April 2005
3 654/5  England Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 3 March 1939
4 652/7d  Australia Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 22 February 2002
5 643/6d  India Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India 14 February 2010
Last updated: 23 August 2020[19]

Fewest runs conceded in an innings[edit]

The lowest innings total scored against South Africa is 45 in the first test of New Zealand's tour of South Africa in 2013[18]

Rank Score Opposition Venue Date
1 45  New Zealand Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa 2 January 2013
2 47  Australia 9 November 2011
3 49  Pakistan Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 1 February 2013
4 53  Bangladesh Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 31 March 2022
5 54  Zimbabwe Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa 4 March 2005
Last updated: 19 August 2022[20]

Result records[edit]

A Test match is won when one side has scored more runs than the total runs scored by the opposing side during their two innings. If both sides have completed both their allocated innings and the side that fielded last has the higher aggregate of runs, it is known as a win by runs. This indicates the number of runs that they had scored more than the opposing side. If one side scores more runs in a single innings than the total runs scored by the other side in both their innings, it is known as a win by innings and runs. If the side batting last wins the match, it is known as a win by wickets, indicating the number of wickets that were still to fall.[21]

Greatest win margins (by innings)[edit]

The fifth Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval saw England win by an innings and 579 runs, the largest victory by an innings in Test cricket history. The largest victory for South Africa, which is the 17th largest, is there win against Bangladesh in the first Test of the 2017 tour at the Mangaung Oval, where the hosts won by an innings and 254 runs.[22]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 254 runs  Bangladesh Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, South Africa 6 October 2017
2 Innings and 229 runs  Sri Lanka Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 2 January 2001
3 Innings and 220 runs  West Indies Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 17 December 2014
4 Innings and 219 runs  Zimbabwe Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe 11 November 1999
5 Innings and 208 runs  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 6 September 1993
Last updated: 20 June 2020[23]

Greatest win margins (by runs)[edit]

The greatest winning margin by runs in Test cricket was England's victory over Australia by 675 runs in the first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series. The largest victory recorded by South Africa, which is the fourth largest victory, is the final Test of the 2018 series against Australia by 492 runs.[24]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 492 runs  Australia New Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 30 March 2018
2 358 runs  New Zealand 8 November 2007
3 356 runs  England Lord's, London, England 21 July 1994
4 351 runs  West Indies Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 15 January 1999
5 340 runs  England Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England 14 July 2017
Last updated: 20 June 2020[23]

Greatest win margins (by 10 wickets)[edit]

South Africa have won a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 9 occasions.[23]

Rank Victories Opposition Most recent venue Date
1 3  England Headingley, Leeds, England 18 July 2008
2 2  Sri Lanka Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 3 January 2021
3 1  Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia 24 January 1964
 Pakistan Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 December 2002
 West Indies Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 16 January 2004
 India Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 December 2013
Last updated: 5 January 2021[23]

Narrowest win margins (by runs)[edit]

South Africa's narrowest win by runs was against Australia in the second Test of the 1993-94 tour at Sydney Cricket Ground. Set 117 runs for victory in the final innings, Australia were bowled all out for 111 to give victory to South Africa by five runs. This was the sixth-narrowest win in Test cricket, with the narrowest being the West Indies' one-run win over Australia in 1993.[25]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 5 runs  Australia Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia 2 January 1994
2 7 runs  Sri Lanka Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka 30 July 2000
3 17 runs  England Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 15 February 1957
4 19 runs Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 1 January 1910
5 28 runs 24 December 1930
Last updated: 20 June 2020[26]

Narrowest win margins (by wickets)[edit]

South Africa's narrowest win by wickets came in the first Test of the English cricket team in South Africa in 1905-06 in January 1906. Played at the Old Wanderers Stadium, the hosts won the match by a margin of one wicket, one of only fourteen one-wicket victories in Test cricket.[27]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 1 wicket  England Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 2 January 1906
2 3 wickets Old Trafford, Manchester, England 7 July 1955
 Sri Lanka Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 15 November 2002
4 4 wickets  England Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 7 March 1910
Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 28 January 1928
 West Indies Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 26 November 1998
 India Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India 24 February 2000
 New Zealand Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 5 May 2006
 Pakistan Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 14 February 2013
Last updated: 20 June 2020[26]

Greatest loss margins (by innings)[edit]

The Oval in London played host the greatest defeat by an innings in Test cricket.[22] The final Test of the 1938 Ashes saw England defeat the tourists by an innings and 579 runs, to the draw the series at one match all.[28] South Africa's biggest defeat came at home during the Australian tour in 2002 when they lost by an innings and 360 runs at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.[29]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 Innings and 360 runs  Australia Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 22 February 2002
2 Innings and 276 runs  New Zealand Hagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand 17 February 2022
3 Innings and 259 runs  Australia St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 3 March 1950
4 Innings and 202 runs  England Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 25 March 1889
 India JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, India 19 October 2002
Last updated: 19 February 2022[29]

Greatest loss margins (by runs)[edit]

The first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series saw Australia defeated by England by 675 runs, the greatest losing margin by runs in Test cricket.[24] South Africa's biggest defeat by runs was against England in the fourth Test of the 1910-11 tour at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 530 runs  Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 17 February 1911
2 337 runs  India Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India 3 December 2015
3 313 runs  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 11 August 2004
4 312 runs  England Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 1 January 1957
5 288 runs St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 13 February 1896
Last updated: 20 June 2020[29]

Greatest loss margins (by 10 wickets)[edit]

South Africa have lost a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 12 occasions with most recent being during the 3rd test of the South Africa's tour of Australia in 2001-02.

Rank Occurrences Opposition Most recent venue Most recent date
1 6  England Lord's, London, England 21 June 1951
 Australia Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia 2 January 2002
Last updated: 20 June 2020[29]

Narrowest loss margins (by runs)[edit]

The narrowest loss of South Africa in terms of runs is by 23 runs against England in the fifth test of the South Africa's tour of England in 1998.[30]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 23 runs  England Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, England 6 August 1998
2 29 runs  Pakistan Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 February 1998
2 32 runs  England Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 14 February 1899
4 40 runs  New Zealand St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 16 February 1962
5 52 runs  West Indies Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados 18 April 1992
Last updated: 20 June 2020[30]

Narrowest loss margins (by wickets)[edit]

The narrowest loss of South Africa in terms of wickets is by 1 wicket, once against England and twice against Sri Lanka.[30]

Rank Margin Opposition Venue Date
1 1 wicket  England Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 1 January 1957
 Sri Lanka P Sara Oval, Colombo, Sri Lanka 4 August 2006
Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 13 February 2019
4 2 wickets  England 16 December 1948
 Australia St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 14 March 1997
 England Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 14 January 2000
 Australia Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 31 March 2006
17 November 2011
Last updated: 20 June 2020[30]

Individual records[edit]

Batting records[edit]

Most career runs[edit]

South Africa's Jacques Kallis has scored the third highest runs in Test cricket with 13,206. He is the only South African batsman to have scored more than 10,000 runs in Test cricket.[31]

Rank Runs Player Matches Innings Period
1 13,206 Jacques Kallis 165 278 1995–2013
2 9,282 Hashim Amla 124 215 2004–2019
3 9,253 Graeme Smith 116 203 2002–2014
4 8,765 AB de Villiers 114 191 2004–2018
5 7,289 Gary Kirsten 101 176 1993–2004
6 6,167 Herschelle Gibbs 90 154 1996–2008
7 5,498 Mark Boucher 146 204 1997–2012
8 5,331 Dean Elgar† 85 150 2012–2023
9 4,554 Daryll Cullinan 70 115 1993–2001
10 4,163 Faf du Plessis 69 118 2012–2021
Last updated: 10 March 2023[32]

Most runs against each team[edit]

Opposition Runs Player Matches Innings Period Ref
 Afghanistan YTP
 Australia 2,068 AB de Villiers 24 45 2005–2018 [33]
 Bangladesh 743 Graeme Smith 8 9 2002–2008 [34]
 England 2,732 Bruce Mitchell 30 57 1929–1949 [35]
 India 1,734 Jacques Kallis 18 31 2000–2013 [36]
 Ireland YTP
 New Zealand 1,919 Jacques Kallis 18 28 1999–2013 [37]
 Pakistan 1,564 19 33 1997–2013 [38]
 Sri Lanka 917 Daryll Cullinan 11 19 1993–2001 [39]
 West Indies 2,356 Jacques Kallis 24 43 1998–2010 [40]
 Zimbabwe 679 6 7 1999–2005 [41]
Last updated: 12 January 2021.

Fastest runs getter[edit]

Runs Batsman Match Innings Record Date Reference
1,000 Graeme Smith 12 17 31 July 2003 [42]
2,000 Graeme Pollock 21 40 5 February 1970 [43]
3,000 Graeme Smith 37 63 24 April 2005 [44]
4,000 Herschelle Gibbs 55 91 2 January 2004 [45]
5,000 63 108 13 January 2005 [46]
6,000 Hashim Amla 74 128 12 February 2014 [47]
7,000 Jacques Kallis 90 151 31 March 2005 [48]
8,000 101 170 18 May 2006 [49]
9,000 110 188 8 November 2007 [50]
10,000 129 217 26 February 2009 [51]
11,000 139 234 18 June 2010 [52]
12,000 147 249 17 November 2011 [53]
13,000 159 263 2 January 2013 [54]
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Most runs in each batting position[edit]

Batting position Batsman Innings Runs Average Test Career Span Ref
Opener Graeme Smith 196 9,030 49.08 2002–2014 [55]
Number 3 Hashim Amla 174 7,993 49.96 2004–2019 [56]
Number 4 Jacques Kallis 170 9,033 61.87 1995–2013 [57]
Number 5 AB de Villiers 74 3,913 62.11 2004-2018 [58]
Number 6 50 2,394 52.04 2004–2018 [59]
Number 7 Mark Boucher 124 2,939 26.01 1997–2012 [60]
Number 8 Shaun Pollock 79 1,796 30.97 1995-2008 [61]
Number 9 Nicky Boje 37 804 26.80 2000–2006 [62]
Number 10 Dale Steyn 61 568 11.83 2004–2019 [63]
Number 11 Makhaya Ntini 76 344 9.05 1998-2009 [64]
Last updated: 1 July 2020. Qualificaiotn: Batted 20 Innings at the position

Highest individual score[edit]

The first test of the South Africa's tour of England in 2012 saw Hashim Amla score the only triple century by a South African and record South Africa's highest Individual score.[65]

Rank Runs Player Opposition Venue Date
1 311* Hashim Amla  England The Oval, London, England 19 July 2012
2 278* AB de Villiers  Pakistan Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 20 November 2010
3 277 Graeme Smith  England Edgbaston, Birmingham, England 24 July 2003
4 275* Daryll Cullinan  New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand 27 February 1999
5 275 Gary Kirsten  England Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 December 1999
Last updated: 20 June 2020[65]

Highest individual score – progression of record[edit]

Runs Player Opponent Venue Season
29 Bernard Tancred  England St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 1888-89
40 Jimmy Sinclair Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1896-97
41 Ernest Halliwell
86 Jimmy Sinclair 1898–99
106 Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
147 Gordon White Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1905-06
204 Aubrey Faulkner  Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 1910-11
231 Dudley Nourse Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1935-36
235 Eric Rowan  England Headingley, Leeds, England 1951
255* Jackie McGlew  New Zealand Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand 1952–53
274 Graeme Pollock  Australia Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 1969-70
275 Daryll Cullinan  New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand 1998-99
277 Graeme Smith  England Edgbaston, Birmingham, England 2003
278* Ab de Villiers  Pakistan Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2010-11
311* Hashim Amla  England The Oval, London, England 2012
Last updated: 20 June 2020[65]

Highest individual score against each team[edit]

Opposition Runs Player Venue Date Ref
 Afghanistan YTP
 Australia 274 Graeme Pollock Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 5 February 1970 [66]
 Bangladesh 232 Graeme Smith Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh 29 February 2008 [67]
 England 311* Hashim Amla The Oval, London, England 19 July 2012 [68]
 India 253* Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, India 6 February 2010 [69]
 Ireland YTP
 New Zealand 275* Daryll Cullinan Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand 27 February 1999 [70]
 Pakistan 278* AB de Villiers Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 20 November 2010 [71]
 Sri Lanka 224 Jacques Kallis Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa 3 January 2012 [72]
 West Indies 208 Hashim Amla Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 17 December 2014 [73]
 Zimbabwe 220 Gary Kirsten Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe 7 September 2001 [74]
Last updated: 12 January 2021.

Highest career average[edit]

A batsman's batting average is the total number of runs they have scored divided by the number of times they have been dismissed.[75]

Rank Average Player Innings Runs Not out Period
1 60.97 Graeme Pollock 41 2,256 4 1963–1970
2 55.25 Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 39 1995–2013
3 53.81 Dudley Nourse 62 2,960 7 1935–1951
4 50.66 Ab de Villiers 191 8,765 18 2004–2019
5 49.08 Colin Bland 39 1,669 5 1961–1966
Qualification: 20 innings. Last updated: 20 June 2020[76]

Highest Average in each batting position[edit]

Batting position Batsman Innings Runs Average Career Span Ref
Opener Bruce Mitchell 48 2,390 56.90 1929–1949 [77]
Number 3 Hashim Amla 174 7,993 49.96 2004–2019 [78]
Number 4 Graeme Pollock 37 2,065 62.58 1963–1970 [79]
Number 5 AB de Villiers 74 3,913 62.11 2004–2018 [80]
Number 6 50 2,394 52.04 2004–2018 [81]
Number 7 Brian McMillan 23 1,051 58.38 1992–1998 [82]
Number 8 Mark Boucher 47 1,387 36.50 1997–2012 [83]
Number 9 Shaun Pollock 20 534 41.07 1995–2007 [84]
Number 10 Peter Pollock 20 292 22.46 1964–1970 [85]
Number 11 Allan Donald 32 204 13.60 1992–2002 [86]
Last updated: 1 July 2020. Qualification: Min 20 innings batted at position

Most half-centuries[edit]

A half-century is a score of between 50 and 99 runs. Statistically, once a batsman's score reaches 100, it is no longer considered a half-century but a century.

Sachin Tendulkar of India has scored the most half-centuries in Test cricket with 68. He is followed by the West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 66, India's Rahul Dravid and Allan Border of Australia on 63 and in fifth with 62 fifties to his name, Australia's Ricky Ponting. Jacques Kallis is the highest rated South African with 58 fifties to his name.[87]

Rank Half centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 58 Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 1995–2013
2 46 AB de Villiers 191 8,765 2004–2019
3 41 Hashim Amla 215 9,282 2004–2019
4 38 Graeme Smith 203 9,253 2002–2014
5 35 Mark Boucher 204 5,498 1997–2012
Last updated: 20 June 2020[88]

Most centuries[edit]

A century is a score of 100 or more runs in a single innings.

Tendulkar has also scored the most centuries in Test cricket with 51. South Africa's Jacques Kallis is next on 45 and Ricky Ponting with 41 hundreds is in third.[89]

Rank Centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 45 Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 1995–2013
2 28 Hashim Amla 215 9,282 2004–2019
3 27 Graeme Smith 203 9,253 2002–2014
4 22 AB de Villiers 191 8,765 2004–2019
5 21 Gary Kirsten 176 7,289 1993–2004
Last updated: 20 June 2020[90]

Most double centuries[edit]

A double century is a score of 200 or more runs in a single innings.

Bradman holds the Test record for the most double centuries scored with twelve, one ahead of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who finished his career with eleven. In third is Brian Lara of the West Indies with nine. England's Wally Hammond and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka both scored seven double centuries. Graeme Smith has scored the most double centuries for South Africa, with 5.[91]

Rank Double centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 5 Graeme Smith 203 9,253 2002–2014
2 4 Hashim Amla 215 9,282 2004–2019
3 3 Gary Kirsten 176 7,289 1993–2004
4 2 Dudley Nourse 214 10,122 1971–1987
Graeme Pollock 62 2,960 1935–1951
Herschelle Gibbs 154 6,167 1996–2008
AB de Villiers 191 8,765 2004–2019
Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 1995–2013
Last updated: 20 June 2020[92]

Most triple centuries[edit]

A triple century is a score of 300 or more runs in a single innings.

Hashim Amla is the only South African to have scored a triple century for South Africa.[93]

Rank Double centuries Player Innings Runs Period
1 1 Hashim Amla 215 9,282 2004–2019
Last updated: 20 June 2020[94]

Most Sixes[edit]

Rank Sixes Player Innings Runs Period
1 96 Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 1995–2013
2 64 AB de Villiers 191 8,765 2004–2019
3 47 Herschelle Gibbs 154 6,167 1996–2008
4 36 Dale Steyn 119 1,251 2004–2019
5 35 Shaun Pollock 156 3,781 1995–2008
Last updated: 20 June 2020[95]

Most Fours[edit]

Rank Fours Player Innings Runs Period
1 1,477 Jacques Kallis 278 13,206 1995–2013
2 1,170 Hashim Amla 215 9,282 2004–2019
3 1,164 Graeme Smith 203 9,253 2002–2014
4 1,024 AB de Villiers 191 8,765 2004–2019
5 922 Gary Kirsten 176 7,289 1993–2004
Last updated: 20 June 2020[96]

Most runs in a series[edit]

The 1930 Ashes series in England saw Don Bradman set the record for the most runs scored in a single series, falling just 26 short of 1,000 runs. He is followed by Wally Hammond with 905 runs scored in the 1928–29 Ashes series. Aubrey Faulkner with 732 in the 1910 tour of Australia is the highest South African on the list.[97]

Rank Runs Player Matches Innings Series
1 732 Aubrey Faulkner 5 10 South African cricket team in Australia in 1910–11
2 714 Graeme Smith 9 South Africa in England in 2003
3 712 Jacques Kallis 4 6 Sir Vivian Richards Trophy in 2003-04
4 625 5 10 Basil D'Oliveira Trophy in 2004-05
5 621 Dudley Nourse 9 South African cricket team in England in 1947
Last updated: 20 June 2020[98]

Most ducks[edit]

A duck refers to a batsman being dismissed without scoring a run.[99] Morne Morkel has scored the equal sixteen-highest number of ducks in Test cricket.[100] Glenn McGrath has scored the equal third-highest number of ducks in Test cricket behind Courtney Walsh with 43 and Chris Martin with 36.[100]

Rank Ducks Player Matches Innings Period
1 22 Morne Morkel 86 104 2006–2018
2 21 Makhaya Ntini 101 116 1998–2009
3 19 Kagiso Rabada † 60 93 2015–2023
4 17 Allan Donald 72 94 1992–2002
5 16 Mark Boucher 146 204 1997–2012
Jacques Kallis 165 278 1995–2013
Last updated: 10 March 2023[101]

Bowling records[edit]

Most career wickets[edit]

A bowler takes the wicket of a batsman when the form of dismissal is bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket. If the batsman is dismissed by run out, obstructing the field, handling the ball, hitting the ball twice or timed out the bowler does not receive credit.

South Africa's Dale Steyn is eight on the list, having taken 439 wickets.

Rank Wickets Player Matches Innings Runs Period
1 439 Dale Steyn 93 171 10,077 2004–2019
2 421 Shaun Pollock 108 202 9,733 1995–2008
3 390 Makhaya Ntini 101 190 11,242 1998–2009
4 330 Allan Donald 72 129 7,344 1992-2002
5 309 Morne Morkel 86 160 8,550 2006–2018
6 291 Jacques Kallis 165 270 9,497 1995-2013
7 280 Kagiso Rabada† 60 108 6,257 2015-2023
8 224 Vernon Philander 64 119 5,000 2011-2020
9 170 Hugh Taylfield 37 61 4,405 1949-1960
10 158 Keshav Maharaj† 49 82 5,055 2016-2023
Last updated: 11 March 2023[102]

Most career wickets against each team[edit]

Opposition Wickets Player Matches Innings Runs Period Ref
 Afghanistan YTP
 Australia 70 Dale Steyn 15 28 1,923 2008–2016 [103]
 Bangladesh 35 Makhaya Ntini 8 16 573 2002–2008 [104]
 England 91 Shaun Pollock 23 42 2,160 1995–2005 [105]
 India 65 Dale Steyn 14 23 1,400 2008–2018 [106]
 Ireland YTP
 New Zealand 68 Dale Steyn 12 23 1,091 2008–2016 [107]
 Pakistan 59 13 26 1,374 2007–2019 [108]
 Sri Lanka 48 Shaun Pollock 13 24 1,072 1998–2006 [109]
 West Indies 70 16 31 1,607 1998–2008 [110]
 Zimbabwe 23 5 10 356 1999–2005 [111]
Last updated: 12 January 2021

Fastest wicket taker[edit]

Wickets Bowler Match Record Date Reference
50 Vernon Philander 7 23 March 2012 [112]
100 19 18 December 2013 [113]
150 Hugh Tayfield 29 24 December 1949 [114]
200 Dale Steyn 39 10 June 2010 [115]
250 49 15 December 2011 [116]
300 61 2 January 2013 [117]
350 69 26 December 2013 [118]
400 80 30 July 2015 [119]
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Best figures in an innings[edit]

Bowling figures refers to the number of the wickets a bowler has taken and the number of runs conceded.[120] There have been two occasions in Test cricket where a bowler has taken all ten wickets in a single innings – Jim Laker of England took 10/53 against Australia in 1956 and India's Anil Kumble in 1999 returned figures of 10/74 against Pakistan. Hugh Tayfield and Keshav Maharaj are one of 15 bowlers who have taken nine wickets in a Test match innings.[121]

Rank Figures Player Opposition Venue Date
1 9/113 Hugh Tayfield  England Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 15 February 1957
2 9/129 Keshav Maharaj  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 20 July 2018
3 8/53 Godfrey Lawrence  New Zealand Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 26 December 1961
4 8/64 Lance Klusener  India Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India 27 November 1996
5 8/69 Hugh Tayfield  England Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 25 January 1957
Last updated: 20 June 2020[122]

Best figures in an innings against each team[edit]

Opposition Figures Player Venue Date Reference
 Afghanistan YTP
 Australia 7/23 Hugh Tayfield Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 20 January 1950 [123]
 Bangladesh 7/32 Keshav Maharaj Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 31 March 2022 [124]
 England 9/113 Hugh Tayfield Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 15 February 1957 [125]
 India 8/64 Lance Klusener Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India 27 November 1996 [126]
 Ireland YTP
 New Zealand 8/53 Godfrey Lawrence Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 26 December 1961 [127]
 Pakistan 7/29 Kyle Abbott Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 22 February 2013 [128]
 Sri Lanka 9/129 Keshav Maharaj Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 20 July 2018 [129]
 West Indies 7/37 Makhaya Ntini Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago 8 April 2005 [130]
 Zimbabwe 8/71 Allan Donald Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe 13 October 1995 [131]
Last updated: 12 January 2021

Best figures in a match[edit]

A bowler's bowling figures in a match is the sum of the wickets taken and the runs conceded over both innings.

No bowler in the history of Test cricket has taken all 20 wickets in a match. The closest to do so was English spin bowler Jim Laker. During the fourth Test of the 1956 Ashes series, Laker took 9/37 in the first innings and 10/53 in the second to finish with match figures of 19/90. Makhaya Ntini, with figures of 13/132, taken during the second match of the South Africa tour of West Indies in 2005, is the best in Test cricket for South Africa.[132]

Rank Figures Player Opposition Venue Date
1 13/132 Makhaya Ntini  West Indies Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago 8 April 2005
2 13/144 Kagiso Rabada  England Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 22 January 2016
3 13/165 Hugh Tayfield  Australia Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 24 December 1952
4 13/192  England Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 15 February 1957
5 12/127 Tip Snooke Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 10 March 1906
Last updated: 20 June 2020[133]

Best career average[edit]

A bowler's bowling average is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of wickets they have taken. Nineteenth century English medium pacer George Lohmann holds the record for the best career average in Test cricket with 10.75. J. J. Ferris, one of fifteen cricketers to have played Test cricket for more than one team,[134] is second behind Lohmann with an overall career average of 12.70 runs per wicket.[135]

Rank Average Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 21.10 Neil Adcock 104 2,195 6,391 1953–1962
2 21.93 Duanne Ollivier † 59 1,294 2,088 2017-2022
3 22.15 Alf Hall 40 886 2,361 1923-1931
4 22.25 Allan Donald 330 7,344 15,519 1992-2002
5 22.32 Vernon Philander 224 5,000 11,391 2011-2020
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 5 January 2023[136]

Best career economy rate[edit]

A bowler's economy rate is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of overs they have bowled.[99] English bowler William Attewell, who played 10 matches for England between 1884 and 1892, holds the Test record for the best career economy rate with 1.31. South Africa's Trevor Goddard, with a rate of 1.64 runs per over conceded over his 41-match Test career, is third on the list.[137]

Rank Economy rate Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 1.64 Trevor Goddard 123 3,226 11,736 1955–1970
2 1.74 John Watkins 29 816 2,805 1949–1957
3 1.79 Anton Murray 18 710 2,374 1952–1954
4 1.94 Hugh Tayfield 170 4,405 13,568 1949–1960
5 1.98 Tufty Mann 58 1,920 5,796 1947–1951
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 20 June 2020[138]

Best career strike rate[edit]

A bowler's strike rate is the total number of balls they have bowled divided by the number of wickets they have taken.[99] As with the career average above, the top bowler with the best Test career strike rate is George Lohmann with strike rate of 34.1 balls per wicket. South Africa's Kagiso Rabada is at fourth position in this list.[139]

Rank Strike rate Player Wickets Runs Balls Period
1 35.3 Duanne Olivier † 59 1,294 2,088 2017-2022
2 39.7 Kagiso Rabada† 280 6,257 11,117 2015–2023
3 42.3 Dale Steyn 439 10,077 18,608 2004–2019
4 43.1 Bert Vogler 64 1,455 2,764 1906-1911
5 43.6 Anrich Nortje † 70 1,870 3,057 2019-2023
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 11 March 2023[140]

Most five-wicket hauls in an innings[edit]

A five-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking five wickets in a single innings.[141] Dale Steyn is tenth on the list of most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.[142]

Rank Five-wicket hauls Player Innings Balls Wickets Period
1 26 Dale Steyn 171 18,608 439 2004–2019
2 20 Allan Donald 129 15,519 330 1992–2002
3 18 Makhaya Ntini 190 20,834 390 1998–2009
4 16 Shaun Pollock 202 24,353 421 1995–2008
5 14 Kagiso Rabada † 61 11,315 287 2015–2023
Hugh Tayfield 13,658 170 1949–1960
Last updated: 20 June 2020[143]

Most ten-wicket hauls in a match[edit]

A ten-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking ten or more wickets in a match over two innings. As with the five-wicket hauls above, Anil Kumble is not only behind Muralitharan, Warne and Hadlee, he is also behind Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka in taking the most ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket.[144]

Rank Ten-wicket hauls Player Matches Balls Wickets Period
1 5 Dale Steyn 93 18,608 439 2004–2019
2 4 Kagiso Rabada † 60 11,117 280 2015–2023
Makhaya Ntini 101 20,834 390 1998–2009
4 3 Allan Donald 72 15,519 330 1992–2002
5 2 Hugh Tayfield 37 4,405 170 1949–1960
Fanie de Villiers 18 2,063 85 1993-1998
Vernon Philander 64 11,391 224 2011–2020
Last updated: 11 March 2023[145]

Worst figures in an innings[edit]

The worst figures in a single innings in Test cricket came in the third Test between the West Indies at home to Pakistan in 1958. Pakistan's Khan Mohammad returned figures of 0/259 from his 54 overs in the second innings of the match.[146][147] The worst figures by a South African is 0/221 that came off the bowling of Nicky Boje in the first test of the South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka in 2006.[148]

Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 0/221 Nicky Boje 65  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 27 July 2006
2 0/180 Imran Tahir 23  Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia 22 November 2012
3 0/130 Makhaya Ntini 29  England Lord's, London, England 10 July 2008
4 0/122 Jimmy Blanckenberg 36 The Oval, London, England 16 August 1924
5 0/121 Cuan McCarthy 29  Australia St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 3 March 1950
Last updated: 20 June 2020[149]

Worst figures in a match[edit]

The worst figures in a match in Test cricket were taken by South Africa's Imran Tahir in the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November 2012. He returned figures of 0/180 from his 23 overs in the first innings and 0/80 off 14 in the third innings for a total of 0/260 from 37 overs.[150] He claimed the record in his final over when two runs came from it – enough for him to pass the previous record of 0/259, set 54 years prior.[151]

Rank Figures Player Overs Opposition Venue Date
1 0/260 Imran Tahir 37  Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia 22 November 2012
2 0/221 Nicky Boje 65  Sri Lanka Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka 27 July 2006
3 0/173 Paul Adams 173  West Indies Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 2 January 2004
4 0/138 Arthur Langton 43  England Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 24 December 1938
5 0/130 George Bissett 41 Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 21 January 1928
Makhaya Ntini 29 Lord's, London, England 10 July 2008
Last updated:20 June 2020[152]

Most wickets in a series[edit]

England's seventh Test tour of South Africa in 1913–14 saw the record set for the most wickets taken by a bowler in a Test series. English paceman Sydney Barnes played in four of the five matches and achieved a total of 49 wickets to his name. South Africa's Hugh Tayfield is joint 13th with his 37 wickets taken against England during the 1956–57 tour.[153]

Rank Wickets Player Matches Series
1 37 Hugh Tayfield 5 English cricket team in South Africa in 1956–57
2 36 Bert Vogler English cricket team in South Africa in 1909–10
3 33 Allan Donald South African cricket team in England in 1998
4 30 Hugh Tayfield South African cricket team in Australia in 1952–53
5 29 Shaun Pollock West Indian cricket team in South Africa in 1998–99
Sid Pegler 6 1912 Triangular Tournament
Makhaya Ntini 4 West Indian cricket team in South Africa in 2003–04
Aubrey Faulkner 5 English cricket team in South Africa in 1909–10
Last updated: 20 June 2020[154]

Hat-trick[edit]

In cricket, a hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets with consecutive deliveries. The deliveries may be interrupted by an over bowled by another bowler from the other end of the pitch or the other team's innings, but must be three consecutive deliveries by the individual bowler in the same match. Only wickets attributed to the bowler count towards a hat-trick; run outs do not count. In Test cricket history there have been just 44 hat-tricks, the first achieved by Fred Spofforth for Australia against England in 1879. In 1912, Australian Jimmy Matthews achieved the feat twice in one game against South Africa. The only other players to achieve two hat-tricks are Australia's Hugh Trumble, against England in 1902 and 1904, Pakistan's Wasim Akram, in separate games against Sri Lanka in 1999, and England's Stuart Broad.

No. Bowler Against Inn. Test Dismissals Venue Date Ref.
1 Geoff Griffin  England 1 2/5 England Lord's, London 24 June 1960 [155]
2 Keshav Maharaj  West Indies 2 2/2 Saint Lucia Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, Gros Islet 21 June 2021 [156]

Wicket-keeping records[edit]

The wicket-keeper is a specialist fielder who stands behind the stumps being guarded by the batsman on strike and is the only member of the fielding side allowed to wear gloves and leg pads.[157]

Most career dismissals[edit]

A wicket-keeper can be credited with the dismissal of a batsman in two ways, caught or stumped. A fair catch is taken when the ball is caught fully within the field of play without it bouncing after the ball has touched the striker's bat or glove holding the bat,[158][159] while a stumping occurs when the wicket-keeper puts down the wicket while the batsman is out of his ground and not attempting a run.[160] South Africa's Mark Boucher holds the record for most dismissals in Test cricket as a designated wicket-keeper.[161]

Rank Dismissals Player Matches Period
1 553 ♠ Mark Boucher 146 1997–2012
2 232 Quinton de Kock 54 2014–2021
3 152 Dave Richardson 42 1992–1998
4 141 John Waite 50 1951–1965
5 106 AB de Villiers 114 2004–2018
Last updated: 21 June 2021[162]

Most career catches[edit]

Boucher holds the record for most catches in Test cricket as a designated wicket-keeper.[163]

Rank Catches Player Matches Period
1 530 ♠ Mark Boucher 146 1997–2012
2 221 Quinton de Kock 54 2014–2021
3 150 Dave Richardson 42 1992–1998
4 124 John Waite 50 1951–1965
5 101 Ab de Villiers 114 2004–2018
Last updated: 21 June 2021[164]

Most career stumpings[edit]

Bert Oldfield, Australia's fifth-most capped wicket-keeper, holds the record for the most stumpings in Test cricket with 52. Boucher has most stumpings with 23.[165]

Rank Stumpings Player Matches Period
1 23 Mark Boucher 146 1997–2012
2 17 John Waite 50 1951–1965
3 16 Percy Sherwell 13 1906–1911
4 13 Tommy Ward 23 1912–1924
5 12 Jock Cameron 26 1927–1935
Last updated: 20 June 2020[166]

Most dismissals in an innings[edit]

Four wicket-keepers have taken seven dismissals in a single innings in a Test match—Wasim Bari of Pakistan in 1979, Englishman Bob Taylor in 1980, New Zealand's Ian Smith in 1991 and most recently West Indian gloveman Ridley Jacobs against Australia in 2000.[167]

The feat of taking 6 dismissals in an innings has been achieved by 24 wicket-keepers on 32 occasions including 4 South Africans.[168]

Rank Dismissals Player Opposition Venue Date
1 6 Denis Lindsay  Australia Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 23 December 1966
Mark Boucher  Pakistan St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 6 March 1998
 Sri Lanka Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 19 March 1998
 Zimbabwe Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 11 March 2005
 Sri Lanka 11 December 2011
Ab de Villiers  Pakistan Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 1 February 2013
Quinton de Kock  England Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 26 December 2019
Last updated: 20 June 2020[169]

Most dismissals in a match[edit]

Three wicket-keepers have made 11 dismissals in a Test match, Englishman Jack Russell in 1995, South African AB de Villiers in 2013 and most recently India's Rishabh Pant against Australia in 2018.[170]

The feat of making 10 dismissals in a match has been achieved by 4 wicket-keepers on 4 occasions.[171]

Rank Dismissals Player Opposition Venue Date
1 11 ♠ AB de Villiers  Pakistan New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 1 February 2013
2 9 Dave Richardson  India St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 26 December 1992
Mark Boucher  Pakistan 6 March 1998
 England Headingley, Leeds, England 18 July 2008
 India Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 26 December 2010
Quinton de Kock  Sri Lanka Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka 16 July 2014
Last updated: 23 August 2020[172]

Most dismissals in a series[edit]

Brad Haddin holds the Test cricket record for the most dismissals taken by a wicket-keeper in a series. He took 29 catches during the 2013 Ashes series. South African record is held by John Waite and Mark Boucher with 26 dismissals.[173]

Rank Dismissals Player Matches Innings Series
1 26 John Waite 5 10 New Zealand cricket team in South Africa in 1961–62
Mark Boucher South African cricket team in England in 1998
3 24 Denis Lindsay Australian cricket team in South Africa in 1966–67
4 23 John Waite 5 9 New Zealand cricket team in South Africa in 1953–54
Quinton de Kock 4 7 English cricket team in South Africa in 2019-20
Last updated: 20 June 2020[174]

Fielding records[edit]

Most career catches[edit]

Caught is one of the nine methods a batsman can be dismissed in cricket.[c] The majority of catches are caught in the slips, located behind the batsman, next to the wicket-keeper, on the off side of the field. Most slip fielders are top order batsmen.[176][177]

India's Rahul Dravid holds the record for the most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicket-keeper with 209, followed by Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka on 205 and South African Jacques Kallis with 196 for South Africa and 4 for ICC.[178]

Rank Catches Player Matches Period
1 200 Jacques Kallis 165 1995–2013
2 166 Graeme Smith 116 2002–2014
3 121 Ab de Villiers 200 2004–2018
4 108 Hashim Amla 124 2004–2019
5 94 Herschelle Gibbs 90 1996–2008
Last updated: 20 June 2020[179]

Most catches in a series[edit]

The 1920–21 Ashes series, in which Australia whitewashed England 5–0 for the first time,[180] saw the record set for the most catches taken by a non-wicket-keeper in a Test series. Australian all-rounder Jack Gregory took 15 catches in the series as well as 23 wickets.[181] South Africa's Bruce Mitchell, Trevor Goddard and Bert Vogler are equal tenth with 12 catches taken during a series.[182]

Rank Catches Player Matches Innings Series
1 12 Bert Vogler 5 10 English cricket team in South Africa in 1909-10
Bruce Mitchell 9 English cricket team in South Africa in 1930-31
Trevor Goddard 10 English cricket team in South Africa in 1956-57
4 11 Dave Nourse English cricket team in South Africa in 1922-23
Jacques Kallis 3 6 Sri Lankan cricket team in South Africa in 2011–12
Ab de Villiers 4 8 Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2017-18
Last updated: 20 June 2020[183]

All-round Records[edit]

1000 runs and 100 wickets[edit]

A total of 71 players have achieved the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in their Test career.[184]

Rank Player Average Difference Period Matches Runs Bat Avg Wickets Bowl Avg
1 Jacques Kallis 22.61 1995-2013 165 13,206 55.25 291 32.63
2 Shaun Pollock 9.19 1995-2008 108 3,781 32.31 421 23.11
3 Trevor Goddard 8.23 1955-1970 41 2,516 34.46 123 26.22
4 Vernon Philander 1.71 2011-2020 64 1,779 24.04 224 22.32
5 Dale Steyn -9.35 2004-2019 93 1,251 13.59 439 22.95
6 Nicky Boje -17.41 2000-2006 43 1,312 25.23 100 42.65
Last updated: 22 August 2020[185]

250 runs and 20 wickets in a series[edit]

A total of 18 players on 24 occasions have achieved the double of 250 runs and 20 wickets in a series.[186]

No Player Matches Runs Wickets Series
1 Aubrey Faulkner 5 545 29 England in South Africa in 1909-10
2 Trevor Goddard 294 26 Australia in South Africa in 1966-67
3 Jacques Kallis 267 20 Sir Vivian Richards Trophy in 2000-01
4 Shaun Pollock 302
Last updated: 22 August 2020[187]

Other records[edit]

Most career matches[edit]

See also: List of cricketers who have played 100 Tests

India's Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test matches played with 200, with South Africa's Jacques Kallis being fourth having represented South Africa on 165 occasions.[188]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 165 Jacques Kallis 1995-2013
2 146 Mark Boucher 1997–2012
3 124 Hashim Amla 2004–2019
4 116 Graeme Smith 2002–2014
5 114 AB de Villiers 2004–2018
Last updated: 20 June 2020[189]

Most consecutive career matches[edit]

Former English captain Alastair Cook holds the record for the most consecutive Test matches played with 159. He broke Allan Border's long standing record of 153 matches in June 2018.[190] AB de Villiers, the South African played 98 consecutive Test matches, is sixth.[191]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 98 Ab de Villiers 2004–2015
2 75 Mark Boucher 1998–2004
3 68 Hashim Amla 2006–2013
4 60 Jacques Kallis 1997-2003
5 54 Mark Boucher 2005–2010
Last updated: 3 June 2018[191]

Most matches as captain[edit]

See also: List of South Africa national cricket captains

Graeme Smith, who led the South African cricket team from 2003 to 2014, holds the record for the most matches played as captain in Test cricket with 109.[192]

Rank Matches Player Period
1 108 Graeme Smith 2003–2014
2 53 Hansie Cronje 1994–2000
3 36 Faf du Plessis 2016–2020
4 26 Shaun Pollock 2000-2003
5 18 Herbie Taylor 1913-1924
Last updated: 20 June 2020[193]

Youngest players[edit]

The youngest player to play in a Test match is claimed to be Hasan Raza at the age of 14 years and 227 days. Making his debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe on 24 October 1996, there is some doubt as to the validity of Raza's age at the time.[194] The youngest cricketer to play Test cricket for South Africa was Paul Adams who at the age of 18 years and 340 days debuted in the fourth Test of the series against England in December 1995 at St George's Park.[195]

Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 18 years and 340 days Paul Adams  England St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 26 December 1995
2 19 years and 1 day Arthur Ochse 12 March 1889
3 19 years and 28 days Dante Parkin Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 19 March 1892
4 19 years and 48 days William Shalders 1 April 1899
5 19 years and 120 days Jimmy Sinclair St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 13 February 1896
Last updated: 28 January 2021[195][196]

Oldest players on Debut[edit]

England left-arm slow bowler James Southerton is the oldest player to appear in a Test match. Playing in the very first inaugural test against Australia in 1876 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne, Australia, he was aged 49 years and 119 days. Omar Henry is the oldest South African Test debutant in the 1992–93 series against India at Kingsmead Cricket Ground.[197]

Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 40 years and 295 days Omar Henry  India Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 12 November 1992
2 40 years and 56 days Geoff Chubb  England Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England 7 June 1951
3 39 years and 105 days Jimmy Cook  India Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 12 November 1992
4 38 years and 272 days Johnny Lindsay  England Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England 7 June 1947
5 37 years and 150 days Shaun von Berg  New Zealand Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand 13 February 2024
Last updated: 13 February 2024[197][198]

Oldest players[edit]

England all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes is the oldest player to appear in a Test match. Playing in the fourth Test against the West Indies in 1930 at Sabina Park, in Kingston, Jamaica, he was aged 52 years and 165 days on the final day's play. The oldest South African Test player is Dave Nourse who was aged 45 years and 204 days when he represented South Africa for the final time in the 1924 tour of England at The Oval.[199]

Rank Age Player Opposition Venue Date
1 45 years and 204 days Dave Nourse  England The Oval, London, England 16 August 1924
2 44 years and 313 days Mick Commaille Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa 31 December 1927
3 43 years and 115 days Claude Carter The Oval, London, England 16 August 1924
4 42 years and 298 days Herbie Taylor  New Zealand Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand 27 February 1932
5 42 years and 194 days Aubrey Faulkner  England Lord's, London, England 28 June 1924
Last updated: 28 January 2021[199][200]

Partnership records[edit]

In cricket, two batsmen are always present at the crease batting together in a partnership. This partnership will continue until one of them is dismissed, retires or the innings comes to a close.

Highest partnerships by wicket[edit]

A wicket partnership describes the number of runs scored before each wicket falls. The first wicket partnership is between the opening batsmen and continues until the first wicket falls. The second wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the number three batsman. This partnership continues until the second wicket falls. The third wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the new batsman. This continues down to the tenth wicket partnership. When the tenth wicket has fallen, there is no batsman left to partner so the innings is closed.

Wicket Runs First batsman Second batsman Opposition Venue Date
1st wicket 415 ♠ Neil McKenzie Graeme Smith  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh 29 February 2008
2nd wicket 315* Herschelle Gibbs Jacques Kallis  New Zealand AMI Stadium, Christchurch,New Zealand 11 March 1999
3rd wicket 429* Jacques Rudolph Boeta Dippenaar  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh 24 April 2003
4th wicket 308 Hashim Amla AB de Villiers  West Indies Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 17 December 2014
5th wicket 338 Graeme Smith  Pakistan Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, India 23 October 2013
6th wicket 271 Ashwell Prince Mark Boucher  Bangladesh Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 26 November 2008
7th wicket 246 Jackie McGlew Anton Murray  New Zealand Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand 6 March 1953
8th wicket 150 Neil McKenzie Shaun Pollock  Sri Lanka Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa 20 January 2001
Gary Kirsten Monde Zondeki  England Headingley, Leeds, England 21 August 2003
9th wicket 195 ♠ Mark Boucher Pat Symcox  Pakistan Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa 14 February 1998
10th wicket 107* AB de Villiers Morne Morkel  Pakistan Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 20 November 2010
Last updated: 20 June 2020[201]

Highest partnerships by runs[edit]

The highest Test partnership by runs for any wicket is held by the Sri Lankan pairing of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who put together a third wicket partnership of 624 runs during the first Test against South Africa in July 2006. This broke the record of 576 runs set by their compatriots Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama against India in 1997. South Africa's Jacques Rudolph and Boeta Dippenaar hold the 10th highest Test partnership with 429 made in 2003 against Bangladesh.[202]

Wicket Runs First batsman Second batsman Opposition Venue Date
3rd wicket 429* Jacques Rudolph Boeta Dippenaar  Bangladesh Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh 24 April 2003
1st wicket 415 Neil McKenzie Graeme Smith Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh 29 February 2008
3rd wicket 377* Hashim Amla Jacques Kallis  England The Oval, London, England 19 July 2012
1st wicket 368 Graeme Smith Herschelle Gibbs  Pakistan Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa 2 January 2003
3rd wicket 341 Eddie Barlow Graeme Pollock  Australia Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia 24 January 1964
Last updated: 20 June 2020[203]

Highest overall partnership runs by a pair[edit]

Rank Runs Innings Players Highest Average 100/50 T20I career span
1 3,923 67 Hashim Amla & Jacques Kallis 377* 61.29 11/10 2004-2013
2 3,658 65 Hashim Amla & Graeme Smith 259 57.15 10/12 2006-2014
3 3,592 64 Jacques Kallis & Gary Kirsten 249 61.93 9/17 1997-2004
4 3,274 68 Herschelle Gibbs & Graeme Smith 368 50.36 7/13 2002-2008
5 3,108 44 AB de Villiers & Jacques Kallis 256 75.8 13/7 2004-2013
An asterisk (*) signifies an unbroken partnership (i.e. neither of the batsmen was dismissed before either the end of the allotted overs or the required score being reached). Last updated: 11 October 2022[204]

Umpiring records[edit]

Most matches umpired[edit]

An umpire in cricket is a person who officiates the match according to the Laws of Cricket. Two umpires adjudicate the match on the field, whilst a third umpire has access to video replays, and a fourth umpire looks after the match balls and other duties. The records below are only for on-field umpires.

Aleem Dar of Pakistan holds the record for the most Test matches umpired with 130. The current active Dar set the record in December 2019 overtaking Steve Bucknor from the West Indies mark of 128 matches.[205] They are followed by South Africa's Rudi Koertzen who officiated in 108.[206]

Rank Matches Umpire Period
1 108 Rudi Koertzen 1992–2010
2 68 Marais Erasmus 2010–2021
3 44 Dave Orchard 1995–2004
4 26 Cyril Mitchley 1992–2000
5 14 Richard Ashman 1935–1950
Last updated: 30 December 2021[206]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ For the first 50 years of Test cricket matches were played over three or four days[2] and until the 1930s some timeless Tests were played.[3]
  2. ^ In October 2017, the ICC Board approved a trial of four-day Test cricket to run through until the 2019 Cricket World Cup.[4]
  3. ^ In 2017, The Laws of Cricket were amended, reducing the methods of dismissals from ten to nine, with handled the ball now covered as part of obstructing the field.[175]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Nicholson, Matthew (2007). Sport and the Media: Managing the Nexus. Elsevier. p. 58. ISBN 978-0-7506-8109-4. Retrieved 1 July 2018.
  2. ^ Nicholas, Mark (15 March 2017). "Where are we 140 years later?". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  3. ^ Williamson, Martin (22 August 2015). "The Oval grind of 1938". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  4. ^ Gollapudi, Nagraj; Samiuddin, Osman (14 October 2017). "South Africa to play Zimbabwe in inaugural four-day Test". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  5. ^ Williamson, Martin (18 May 2007). "International Cricket Council: A brief history ..." ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  6. ^ "ICC Classification of Official Cricket" (PDF). International Cricket Council. 9 September 2018: 2. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  7. ^ a b "Records | Test matches | Team records | Results summary | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
  8. ^ "South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Records / South Africa / Test matches / Series summary". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Records / South Africa / Test matches / Test Records". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  11. ^ "2nd Test, South Africa tour of England and Ireland at Lord's, Jul 31 - Aug 3 2003". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  12. ^ a b "Test records – Highest innings totals". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  13. ^ "South Africa Test records – Highest innings totals". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  14. ^ "South Africa highest fourth innings totals". ESPNcricinfo.
  15. ^ "South Africa Test records – Highest successful run chases". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  16. ^ "26 all out". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  17. ^ a b "South Africa Test records – Lowest innings totals". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  18. ^ a b "Test records – Lowest innings totals". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  19. ^ "South Africa Test records – Highest innings totals Conceded". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  20. ^ "South Africa Test records – Lowest innings totals conceded". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 9 May 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  21. ^ "Law 16 – The Result". Marylebone Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  22. ^ a b "Test records – Largest margin of victory (by an innings)". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  23. ^ a b c d "South Africa Test records – Largest victories". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  24. ^ a b "Test records – Largest margin of victory (by runs)". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Test records – Smallest margin of victory (by runs)". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  26. ^ a b "South Africa Test records – Smallest victories". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  27. ^ "Test records – Smallest margin of victory (by wickets)". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  28. ^ "1938 Ashes series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  29. ^ a b c d "South Africa Test records – Largest defeats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  30. ^ a b c d "South Africa Test records – Smallest defeats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  31. ^ "Test records – Most career runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  32. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most career runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against Australia | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  34. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against Bangladesh | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against England | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against India | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  37. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against New Zealand | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  38. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against New Zealand | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  39. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against Sri Lanka | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  40. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against West Indies | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  41. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Against Zimbabwe | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  42. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 1000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  43. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 2000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  44. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 3000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  45. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 4000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  46. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 5000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  47. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 6000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  48. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 7000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  49. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 8000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  50. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 9000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  51. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 10000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  52. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 11000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  53. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 12000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  54. ^ "Records | Test matches | Batting records | Fastest to 13000 runs | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  55. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Opener | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  56. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 3| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  57. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 4| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  58. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 5| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  59. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 6| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  60. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 7| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  61. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 8| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  62. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 9| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  63. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 10| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  64. ^ "Statistics | Most Runs | Number 11| ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  65. ^ a b c "South Africa Test records – Highest individual score". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  66. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against Australia | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  67. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against Bangladesh | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  68. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against England | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  69. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against India | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  70. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against New Zealand | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  71. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against Pakistan | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  72. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against Sri Lanka | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  73. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against West Indies | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  74. ^ "Statistics | Highest Score | Against Zimbabwe | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  75. ^ Pervez, M. A. (2001). A Dictionary of Cricket. Orient Blackswan. p. 7. ISBN 978-81-7370-184-9.
  76. ^ "South Africa Test records – Highest career average". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  77. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Opener | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  78. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 3 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  79. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 4 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  80. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 5 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  81. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 6 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  82. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 7 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  83. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 8 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  84. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 9 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  85. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 10 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  86. ^ "Statistics | Highest Average | Number 11 | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  87. ^ "Test records – Most half-centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  88. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most half-centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  89. ^ "Test records – Most centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  90. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  91. ^ "Test records – Highest career average". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  92. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most double centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  93. ^ "Test records – Most triple centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  94. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most triple centuries". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  95. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most sixes". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  96. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most fours". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  97. ^ "Test records – Most runs in a series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  98. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most runs in a series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  99. ^ a b c Williamson, Martin. "A glossary of cricket terms". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  100. ^ a b "Test records – Most ducks". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  101. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most ducks". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  102. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most career wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  103. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against Australia | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  104. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against Bangladesh | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  105. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against England | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  106. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against India | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  107. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against New Zealand | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  108. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against Pakistan | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  109. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against Sri Lanka | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  110. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against West Indies | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  111. ^ "Records | Test matches | Most Wickets | Against Zimbabwe | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  112. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 50 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  113. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 100 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  114. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 150 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  115. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 200 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  116. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 250 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  117. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 300 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  118. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 350 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  119. ^ "Records | Test matches | Bowling records | Fastest to 400 wickets | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  120. ^ "Definition: bowling analysis". Merriam-Webster. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  121. ^ "Test records – Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  122. ^ "South Africa Test records – Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  123. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Australia". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  124. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Bangladesh". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
  125. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against England". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  126. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against India". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  127. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against New Zealand". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  128. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Pakistan". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  129. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Sri Lanka". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  130. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against West Indies". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  131. ^ "Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Zimbabwe". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  132. ^ "Test records – Best bowling figures in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  133. ^ "South Africa Test records – Best bowling figures in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  134. ^ "Test cricketers who have played for two international teams". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  135. ^ "Test records – Best career average". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
  136. ^ "South Africa Test records – Best career average". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  137. ^ "Test records – Best career economy rate". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  138. ^ "South Africa Test records – Best career economy rate". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  139. ^ "Test records – Best career strike rate". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  140. ^ "South Africa Test records – Best career strike rate". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  141. ^ Pervez, M. A. (2001). A Dictionary of Cricket. Orient Blackswan. p. 31. ISBN 978-81-7370-184-9.
  142. ^ "Test records – Most Five-Wicket Hauls in a Career". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  143. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most five-wicket hauls in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  144. ^ "Test records – Most Ten-Wicket Hauls in a Match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  145. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most ten-wicket hauls in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  146. ^ "Test records – Worst bowling figures in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  147. ^ "3rd Test, Pakistan tour of West Indies at Kingston, Feb 26-Mar 4 1958". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  148. ^ "1st Test, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo (SSC), Jul 27-31 2006". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  149. ^ "South Africa Test records – Worst bowling figures in an innings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  150. ^ "Test records – Worst bowling figures in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  151. ^ "2nd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Nov 22-26 2012". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  152. ^ "South Africa Test records – Worst bowling figures in a match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  153. ^ "Test records – Most wickets in a series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  154. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most wickets in a series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  155. ^ "South Africa tour of England, 1960 – 2nd Test". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  156. ^ "2nd Test, Gros Islet, Jun 18 - 22 2021, South Africa tour of West Indies". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  157. ^ "Law 27 – The wicket-keeper". Marylebone Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  158. ^ "Law 33 – Caught". Marylebone Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  159. ^ "Law 5 – The Bat". Marylebone Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018. Laws 5.6.2.2 and 5.6.2.3 state that the hand or the glove holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat.
  160. ^ "Law 39 – Stumped". Marylebone Cricket Club. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  161. ^ "Test records – Most wicket-keeper dismissals". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  162. ^ "South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  163. ^ "Test records – Most wicket-keeper catches". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  164. ^ "South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  165. ^ "Test records – Most wicket-keeper career stumpings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  166. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most wicket-keeper career stumpings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  167. ^ "Test records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  168. ^ "Wicket-keepers who have taken six wickets in an innings in a Test match". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  169. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  170. ^ "Test records – Most dismissals in a match by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  171. ^ "Wicket-keepers who have made 10 dismissals in a Test match". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  172. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in a match by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  173. ^ "Test records – Most dismissals in a series by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  174. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in a series by a wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  175. ^ "The new cricket rule changes coming into effect from 28 September". ESPNcricinfo. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  176. ^ Giridhar, S.; Raghunath, V. J. (2014). Mid-Wicket Tales: From Trumper to Tendulkar. SAGE Publications. p. 2. ISBN 978-81-321-1738-4. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  177. ^ Selvey, Mike (May 2015). "The greatest slip catcher". The Cricket Monthly. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  178. ^ "Test records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  179. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  180. ^ "Ashes series whitewashes". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  181. ^ "1920–21 Ashes series records – Most wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  182. ^ "Test records – Most catches in a series by a non wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  183. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most catches in a series by a non wicket-keeper". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  184. ^ "1000 Runs and 100 Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
  185. ^ "1000 Runs and 100 Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  186. ^ "250 Runs and 20 Wickets in a series". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  187. ^ "250 Runs and 20 Wickets". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  188. ^ "Test records – Most career matches". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  189. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most career matches". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  190. ^ "'We'll be looking for other employment' – Cook". wisden.com. 31 May 2018. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  191. ^ a b "Most Consecutive Test matches". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  192. ^ "Test records – Most matches as captain". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  193. ^ "South Africa Test records – Most matches as captain". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  194. ^ "A late starter". ESPNcricinfo. 10 March 2007. Archived from the original on 16 March 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  195. ^ a b "Test records – Youngest players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  196. ^ "South Africa - Youngest Players on Debut". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  197. ^ a b "Test records – Oldest debutants". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  198. ^ "South Africa - Oldest Players on Debut". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  199. ^ a b "Test records – Oldest players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  200. ^ "South Africa - Oldest Players". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
  201. ^ "South Africa/Records/Test matches/Highest partnerships by wicket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  202. ^ "Test records – Highest partnerships by runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  203. ^ "South Africa Test records – Highest partnerships by runs". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  204. ^ "Records–Test Matches–Partnership records–Highest overall partnership runs by a pair–ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. ESPN. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
  205. ^ "Aleem Dar set to break record for most Tests as umpire". International Cricket Council. 11 December 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  206. ^ a b "Test records – Most matches umpired". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_South_Africa_Test_cricket_records&oldid=1206834045"