Most Test Runs Against South Africa
| Player | Innings | Runs | High Score | Average | 100/50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denis Compton (ENG) | 42 | 2205 | 208 | 53.78 | 7/11 |
| Wally Hammond (ENG) | 42 | 2188 | 181 | 62.51 | 6/14 |
| Ricky Ponting (AUS) | 48 | 2132 | 143* | 47.37 | 8/11 |
| Mahela Jayawardene (SL) | 32 | 1782 | 374 | 57.48 | 6/2 |
| Sachin Tendulkar (IND) | 45 | 1741 | 169 | 42.46 | 7/5 |
| Brian Lara (WI) | 35 | 1715 | 202 | 49.00 | 4/9 |
| Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI) | 41 | 1710 | 203* | 46.21 | 5/8 |
| Neil Harvey (AUS) | 23 | 1625 | 205 | 81.25 | 8/5 |
| Leonard Hutton (ENG) | 34 | 1564 | 158 | 52.13 | 4/7 |
| Jack Hobbs (ENG) | 29 | 1562 | 211 | 60.07 | 2/12 |
| Kumar Sangakkara (SL) | 32 | 1534 | 287 | 47.93 | 3/7 |
Key Insights on Leading Batting Performances and Run-Getters Against South Africa in Tests
Aggregate Runs and Milestone Scorers in Tests Against South Africa
Denis Compton has scored the most runs against South Africa in Test cricket, amassing 2205 runs at an average of 53.78 in 42 innings.
Two other batters have scored over 2000 runs versus South Africa: England’s Wally Hammond (2188) and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (2132).
Apart from the 10 batters mentioned, only Kumar Sangakkara (1534) has aggregated 1500 or more Test runs against the Proteas.
A total of 34 batters have scored 1000 or more runs against South Africa.
Most Centuries and Best Batting Averages Against South Africa
Neil Harvey and Ricky Ponting lead the tally with 8 centuries each against South Africa in Tests.
Denis Compton and Tendulkar follow closely with 7 centuries each.
A total of 9 other batters have struck 5 or more Test tons against the Proteas.
Wally Hammond tops the tally for having the most fifty-plus scores against South Africa in Tests with 20 such scores, followed by Ricky Ponting with 19 fifty-plus scores.
Among the batters with more than 1500 Test runs against the Proteas, Australia’s Neil Harvey has the best batting average, averaging 81.25 in the 14 Tests (23 innings) he has played against South Africa, with the help of 8 centuries.
Wally Hammond has the next best average (62.51) in 42 innings.
Sri Lanka’s Mahela Jayawardene holds the record for the highest individual score against the said opposition in Tests, making 374 at Colombo in 2006.
The other two triple centuries against South Africa are by Virender Sehwag (319) and Chris Gayle (317).
Performance Splits: Home, Away, and Match Result Impact
Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most Test tons (4) in losses against the Proteas.
At home, former English batter Denis Compton has made the most Test runs (1557) against South Africa, averaging 67.69 runs in 23 outings, with six centuries.
Mahela Jayawardene comes next with 1336 runs in just 16 innings, with Ricky Ponting (1195) being third.
Compton, Jayawardene, and Kane Williamson all have six centuries each at home against South Africa.
England’s Wally Hammond has scored the most Test runs (1447) in South Africa against South Africa, followed by Tendulkar‘s tally of 1161 runs.
Neil Harvey‘s average was 71.90 while playing 14 innings and scoring those four centuries away.
Sachin Tendulkar leads the tally for centuries by an away batter in the rainbow nation with 5, followed by four centuries each by Hammond and Neil Harvey.
In wins against the Proteas, Ricky Ponting has scored 1415 runs in 15 Tests (27 innings) that their team won at an average of 58.95, and his long-time teammate Matthew Hayden (1361) takes the second spot.
Both Ponting and Hayden have scored six centuries each in wins against South Africa in Tests.
In losses against South Africa, the West Indies’ duo of Brian Lara (1151 runs in 12 Tests) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (1081 runs in 17 Tests) hold the unwanted record of scoring the most Test runs.
Brian Lara‘s 202 is the highest individual score for a batter in a losing cause against South Africa, followed by an unbeaten 199 by Zimbabwe’s Andy Flower.
