Highest Successful Run Chase by South Africa in Test Cricket

Test Cricket: South Africa is one of the toughest teams in any format of cricket. They always played a competitive game irrespective of the format. They are also one of the strongest sides in the longest format, both at home and away. South Africa also won their last series against India 2-1 and leveled 1-1 against New Zealand.

Currently, they are ranked fourth in the ICC Test team rankings and are one of the favorites to make it to the World Championship finals. The Proteas have many records in this format and have performed incredibly well. However, in this article, we will discuss the highest chases by South Africa in Test cricket.

3. South Africa (297/4) against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground 

The third highest run chase for the Proteas came against Australia on February 6th, 1953 at Melbourne. Batting first, Australia made a huge first innings score of 520 runs. Neil Harvey (205) scored a double century while Arthur Morris got out on 99. In reply, South Africa batted well and reached 435 runs, with five batsmen getting half-centuries. After a lead of 85 runs, Australia had a contrasting performance in their second innings.

They got all out for 209 runs, and South Africa got the target of 295 runs to chase. It was once again a clinical performance from the South African batting unit as they chased down the target in 95.5 overs. They made 297/4, winning the match by six wickets. Interestingly, like in the first innings, in the second innings, four more batsmen got half-centuries.

2. South Africa (340/5) against Australia at Kingsmead, Durban

Notably, all three of the highest chases for South Africa came against Australia in their history. In a match between these two teams at Druban, Australia scored 315 runs in their first innings. Ricky Ponting (89) and Adam Gilchrist (91) were the top scorers. But South Africa got all out cheaply in their first innings for a score of 167 runs, with only Herschelle Gibbs (51) scoring a half-century.

With a healthy lead of 167 runs, Australia came out with an intent to score big. But the South African bowlers bowled brilliantly and bowled them out for 186 runs. Eventually, South Africa needed 335 runs to win the match. Herschelle Gibbs (104) once again scored an excellent century, this time with contributions from other batters. The Proteas chased down the target and scored 340/5 runs. 

1. South Africa (414/4) against Australia (Second highest in Test cricket)

The highest chase for South Africa and second highest overall came against Australia in 2008 at Perth. Batting first, Australia made 375 in their first innings, with Mathew Hayden scoring 83 runs. In response, South Africa scored 281 runs, with half-centuries from Jacques Kallis (63) and AB de Villiers (63). Australia got the first innings lead of 94 runs.

The Aussies scored another 319 runs in their second innings, giving South Africa a target of 414 runs. Chasing a target, the Proteas did the impossible. With an unbeaten hundred from AB de Villiers (106*) and a century from skipper Greame Smith (108), they chased down the target of 414/4 in just 119.2 overs. With this win, South Africa registered their highest run chase in history.

List of Highest Run Chase in Test Cricket by South Africa