South African team is regarded as one of the best bowling attacks in the cricket world. They had always produced some world-class pacers which have posed a great challenge against any opposition. The likes of Lance Klusener, Morne Morkel, Allan Donald, Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn, and Shaun Pollock are some of the biggest names in the fast-bowling department.
Then Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, and Lungi Ngidi are some of the best modern-day pacers. Thus, these names can certainly demolish any batting departments. And if you have performed against these bowlers, then you are certainly among the best. And in this article, we will cover the batter with most test centuries against South Africa.
Most Centuries in Test Cricket against South Africa
| Batter | Span | Mts | 100s | Runs | HS | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Harvey (AUS) | 1949-1958 | 14 | 8 | 1625 | 205 | 5 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 1997-2012 | 26 | 8 | 2132 | 143* | 11 |
| Denis Compton (ENG) | 1947-1957 | 25 | 7 | 2205 | 208 | 11 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 1992-2011 | 25 | 7 | 1741 | 169 | 5 |
| Herbert Sutcliffe (ENG) | 1924-1935 | 17 | 6 | 1336 | 122 | 5 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 2000-2014 | 17 | 6 | 1782 | 374 | 2 |
| Mathew Hayden (AUS) | 1994-2009 | 19 | 6 | 1486 | 138 | 5 |
| Wally Hammond (ENG) | 1927-1939 | 24 | 6 | 2188 | 181 | 14 |
| Virender Sehwag (IND) | 2001-2011 | 15 | 5 | 1306 | 319 | 2 |
| Michael Clarke (AUS) | 2008-2014 | 14 | 5 | 1487 | 259* | 3 |
5. Herbert Sutcliffe – 6 centuries in 17 games
Former English batter Herbert Sutcliffe is fifth on the list with joint-third most centuries against South Africa in the red-ball cricket. He scored 16 centuries in the longest format, and six of those came against England. Sutcliffe was part of the 17 games against them and scored 1336 runs at 55.66. He also scored six centuries and five half-centuries, with a best of 122.
4. Sachin Tendulkar – 7 centuries in 25 games
The Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most international (100) and most test centuries (51) in his career, and it is normal if he features in the most centuries list against any team. Sachin played a total of 25 games against South Africa and scored 1741 runs at 42.46. Although his numbers are not that convincing as per his standards, he scored seven centuries and five half-centuries against them.
3. Denis Compton – 7 centuries in 24 games
Former English batter Denis Compton is another player with the joint-second most centuries against South Africa in the longest format. He scored 17 test centuries in his career, and seven of them came against South Africa. Compton played 24 games against the Proteas and scored 2205 runs at 53.78 with a 208 as his best. He also scored seven centuries and 11 centuries against them.
2. Ricky Ponting – 8 Test centuries in 28 games
Former Australian legend Ricky Ponting has scored the joint-most centuries in the longest format against South Africa. Ponting scored 41 test centuries in his career, and thus, it is quite normal for him to score hundreds against all top nations. He played 26 games against the Proteas and scored 2132 runs at 47.37, with a best of 143 not out. Ponting also scored 8 centuries and 11 half-centuries against them.
1. Neil Harvey – 8 Test centuries in 14 games
If you can score runs at an average of 81.25 against any opponent, that truly shows how dominant you are against them. And that’s what former Australian star Neil Harvey did against South Africa. He scored 6149 runs at 48.41 in his overall career, and his average against South Africa is almost double. Hervey played 14 games and scored 1625 runs, with 205 as his best. He also scored 8 centuries and five half-centuries.