Top 4 Tests Between Australia & South Africa This Century

The rivalry between Australia and South Africa has been one of the most enthralling rivalries in Test cricket for the better part of the last quarter of a century. Both sides have had some of the best teams in the world throughout the majority of the period and have been involved in some exciting Test match battles. We look at the top 4 Tests between these two great cricketing nations as they prepare for another fascinating Test series, which gets underway next week.

Picking these four Tests was no easy task considering that there’ve been so many wonderful battles between these two teams, but these are the top 4 of this century.

Draw In Adelaide, 2012

Tests that end in draws are usually boring affairs but there are some that can be as exciting as ones that produce results. The game between South Africa and Australia in Adelaide back in 2012 was definitely one of those exciting ones.

The teams were locked at 0-0 when they arrived for the 2nd Test with Australia making 550 in their first innings, thanks to a 230 from Michael Clarke and centuries from Michael Hussey and David Warner. South Africa could only manage 388 in response and after the hosts declared their second innings at 267 for 8, the visitors needed 430 to win, in more than 5 sessions.

By the 4th day, the Test looked as good as done after South Africa got off to a terrible start and were 45 for 4. Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers produced a spectacle of defensive batting that came to be known as the ‘blockathon’. The two added only 119 runs in their partnership after facing 60-plus overs in a display of dogged blocking. When the game eventually ended, du Plessis was still at the crease, having made 110 off 466 deliveries and South Africa somehow managed to escape with a draw.

South Africa’s 231-Run Win in Gqeberha, 2014

In the second Test in Gqeberha back in 2014, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first. After centuries from AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, the Proteas ended their first innings with a total of 423 on the board. In reply, Australia were bowled out for just 246 runs. Building on the massive lead of 177 runs, the hosts got to 270/5 in the second innings and set the Aussies a target of 448 for victory.

Chris Rogers and David Warner got Australia off to a great start with 126 runs for the first wicket. The Aussies then suffered a triple blow as they lost the wickets of Warner, Alex Doolan and Shaun Marsh in quick succession. Then came one of the greatest spells in Test history.

Dale Steyn first got Aussie skipper Michael Clarke by beating him for pace and was caught in the slips. The next ball was a reverse-swinging peach of a delivery that got the better of Steve Smith. Then, came another beauty from the “Phalaborwa Express” that shattered Brad Haddin’s stumps just like he did in the first innings. Steyn had completely changed the complexion of the game and ended up taking 4 wickets in the second innings.

The Baggy Greens suffered a dramatic collapse and were bowled out for just 216, handing South Africa a massive 231-run victory. JP Duminy was awarded the Player of the Match award for his century in the first innings but Steyn’s ruthless spell of fast bowling will not be forgotten easily.

South Africa’s 6-Wicket Win In Perth, 2008

Most people did not give the Proteas a chance when they had to break the record for the highest successful chase in Australia. However, they made it look relatively easy as they knocked off the runs without breaking much of a sweat.

Thanks to contributions from the middle order and the lower to middle order, Australia made 375 in the 1st innings. In response, South Africa could not handle the pace of Mitchell Johnson, who took 8 for 61 as the Proteas were bowled out for 281.

Australia made 319 in their 2nd innings and South Africa needed to score 414 to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Although South Africa lost the opener, Neil McKenzie, with only 19 on the board, captain Graeme Smith dug in and along with Hashim Ama took the score to 172/1.

Amla and Smith departed in quick succession but then Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers got together to put the game beyond Australia’s reach. De Villiers scored 106 and even after Kallis got out with the score at 303, there was no cause for concern as debutant JP Duminy struck a fine half-century to see them home.

Australia’s 2-Wicket Win In Johannesburg, 2011

The Proteas were leading the two-match series when the teams arrived in Johannesburg for the final Test. Captain Graeme Smith won the toss and chose to bat and with South Africa only managing 266. Australia needed to score big in their 1st innings but they did not do much better.

After openers Phil Hughes and Shane Watson had put on a stand of 174, they collapsed and were bowled out for 296. Dale Steyn wreaked havoc with a 4-wicket haul with South Africa faring better in the second innings making 339, thanks to a century from Hashim Amla. However, the star of the show for Australia was teenage paceman Pat Cummins, who returned figures of 6 for 79 on his Test debut.

Despite all that, it seemed unlikely that Australia would be able to make 310 to win in the 4th innings and the game looked over when Vernon Philander removed both openers in the space of 3 overs. Usman Khawaja (65) and Ricky Ponting (62) then repaired the innings and the game was back on track for the visitors.

However, Australia lost wickets regularly and it took 55 from Brad Haddin and 40 from Mitchell Johnson for them to come close to the target. In a tense finish, the Aussies needed 18 to win with only 2 wickets in hand and with two tailenders at the crease, South Africa must have been the favourites. Johnson and Cummins had other ideas as they held their nerve to see it through against one of the best bowling attacks in the world.