Top 5 best bowling figures by South Africa bowlers in test cricket

Dale Steyn has taken most wickets for South Africa in test cricket.

Test cricket is the toughest format of the game where players’ skillset and stamina get tested for multiple days. While the batters aim to score as many runs, it is the bowlers who define the outcome of a test match, as a side needs to take 20 wickets to win a match.

Talking about South Africa, the nation has produced many legendary cricketers who have uplifted their nation’s flag on several occasions by producing match-winning performances against top-ranked sides.

The Proteas are known for producing some of the legendary bowlers in test cricket. From Allan Donald to Dale Steyn to Kagiso Rabada, these bowlers have the ability to destroy any batting line-up across the globe.

On that note, let’s take a look at the best bowling figures by South African bowlers in tests.

Best figures by South Africa bowlers in tests:

5. Hugh Tayfield – 8/69 vs England, Durban, 1957

Hugh Tayfieled’s 8/69 during a test match against England in 1957 is considered one of the finest spin-bowling performances by a South African bowler in test cricket.

Talking about the match, England scored 218 and South Africa made 283 in their first innings respectively.

In the second innings, England were all out for 254 courtesy of Tayfield’s eight-wicket haul. The match ended in a draw after South Africa finished their innings at 142/6 while chasing 190 runs.

4. Lance Klusener – 8/64 vs India, Eden Gardens, 1996

During the Kolkata test against India in 1996, all-rounder Lance Klusener produced a match-winning performance of 8/64 with the ball.

Batting first, South Africa made 428 after their openers Andrew Hudson and Gary Kirsten slammed brilliant centuries.

In reply, Mohammad Azharuddin played a crucial knock of 109, which guided India to 329 runs. South Africa declared at 367/3 in the second innings and set a huge target of 467 runs for India.

While chasing, India were bowled out for just 137 runs after Lance Klusener scalped eight wickets in 21.3 overs. South Africa won the match by 329 runs.

3. Goofy Lawrence – 8/53 vs New Zealand, Johannesburg, 1961

Great pacer Goofy Lawrence produced one of the finest spells on South African soil during Johannesburg test against New Zealand in 1961.

Talking about the match, South Africa scored 322 runs after John Waite played a gritty knock of 101 runs.

In reply, New Zealand were bundled out for 223 runs after Goofy Lawrence scalped eight wickets in the first innings.

The match was drawn.

2. Keshav Maharaj – 9/129 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2018

Left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj’s 9/129 against Sri Lanka in Colombo test in 2018 is one of the best spells by South African spinners in away conditions in test cricket.

In the first innings, Sri Lanka were all out for 338 after Keshav Maharaj picked up a nine-wicket haul in 41.1 overs. In reply, South Africa were dismissed for 124 , where Sri Lanka’s Akila Dhanajaya took a five wicket-haul.

Sri Lanka then made 275/5 before declaring their in the second innings and set a target of 490 runs for South Africa. The visitors lost the match by 199 runs after they were bundled out for 290 runs while chasing.

1. Hugh Tayfield – 9/113 vs England, Johannesburg, 1957

Hugh Tayfield’s 9/113 against England in the Johannesburg test in 1957 is one of the greatest spells by a South African spin bowler in test cricket.

The great off-spinner produced a match-winning performance as he claimed 14 wickets in the match. South Africa won the Johannesburg test by 17 runs.

(All stats updated till 21st October, 2024)

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