Highest Individual Score for South Africa in Test

Test cricket is one of the toughest forms of cricket. It takes a lot from the player in the span of five days. And a batsman also want to score as many runs as he can to help his team. And we have seen many times in the past, batsmen scoring big hundreds and playing big innings to save the match or to help their team dominate.

South Africa, who got test status in 1909, is one of the toughest opponents for any team. The main reasons for that are a good pace bowling attack and some of the best batsmen who can play big innings. However, so far in the history of South African cricket, one batsman has also scored a triple century and there are some big double hundreds overall. So let’s check the highest individual score for South Africa in the history of test cricket.

3. Graeme Smith (277 runs) against England at Birmingham

The former South African captain, Graeme Smith, is third on the list. His highest score came against England at Birmingham in July 2003. It was the first game of the England tour and the Proteas won the toss and batted first. The decision was proved right by the skipper himself, who batted superbly. They had an opening partnership of 338 runs between Smith and Herschelle Gibbs (179 runs). Smith was looking good for a triple hundred in his innings.

But unfortunately, he got out for 277 runs with 35 fours. Thus, South Africa declared at 594/5. In reply, England also batted well and made 408 runs, with Michael Vaughan (156) scoring a century. South Africa declared their second innings at 134/4 and gave England a target of 321 runs. During the chase, England were at 110/1 when the match was declared a draw.

2. AB de Villiers (278* runs) against Pakistan at Abu Dhabi

AB de Villiers was certainly the most exciting cricketer to ever play the game. And he is second on the list with the second highest individual score for his country. It was the second game of a two-match series against Pakistan in the UAE. Pakistan won the toss and decided to bowl first. South Africa lost their first three wickets for just 33 runs, but after that they had a partnership of 235 runs for the fourth wicket. Jacques Kallis made 105 runs and De Villiers carried his bat through.

He remained not out on 278* runs with 23 fours and 6 sixes to help his team reach 584/9 and declared. In reply, Pakistan made 434 runs and South Africa got a lead of 150 runs. Then, in the second innings, the Proteas declared at 203/5, giving Pakistan a target of 354. The Men in Green were at 153/3 when the match was declared a draw. 

1. Hashim Amla (311* runs) against England (South Africa’s highest in test)

The only triple century for South Africa came off the bat of Hashim Amla against England in July 2012. It was the first game of the England tour at The Oval. England won the toss and decided to bat first. They made 385 runs in their first innings, with a century from Alastair Cook (115). However, when South Africa batted, they broke all records. They lost the first wicket for just one run, and after that, South Africa had two big partnerships.

Amla added 259 runs with skipper Graeme Smith for the second wicket. Smith made 131 runs. Then, Amla added an unbeaten partnership of 377 runs for the third wicket with Jacques Kallis, who scored 181* runs. South Africa declared at 637/2 in 189 overs. Amla carried his bat through and made the highest score for his country. He was not out on 311* runs with 35 boundaries. Trailing by 252 runs, England tried hard but got all out for 240 runs. South Africa won that match by an innings and 12 runs. 

List of Highest Individual score in Test by South Africa

Team Wise Highest Individual Score in Test