Top 5 South African bowlers with most wickets in test cricket

Only two South African bowlers have picked more than 400 wickets in test cricket.

The South African cricket team has produced some of the greatest bowlers of all time, mostly pacers. The country has been blessed with numerous fast bowlers who have showcased their skill and talent across eras and delivered match-winning performances in all parts of the world.

From legendary Allan Donald to Dale Steyn to Kagiso Rabada, these set of bowlers are the chief reasons why South Africa have been one of the most successful test teams in the world.

These speedsters have had the ability to destroy any batting line-up with their sheer pace, accuracy, and seam and swing movement.

On that note, let’s take a look at the top five leading wicket-takers for South Africa in tests.

Top five South African bowlers with the most wickets in test cricket:

5. Kagiso Rabada – 313 wickets

With 313 wickets, the 29-year-old Kagiso Rabada is South Africa’s fifth-highest wicket-taker right now, taking this spot by replacing former speedster Morne Morkel, who had 309 test wickets to his name. Rabada surpassed Morkel’s tally while playing 20 fewer tests than the former seamer.

Already an all-time South African great, Rabada’s bowling average of 21.39 is the best among the top 10 South African test wicket-takers, better than even the likes of Dale Steyn and Allan Donald.

4. Allan Donald – 330 wickets

Allan Donald is one of the greatest and quickest fast bowlers. Donald had a classical action through which he rained fire and dismissed some of the finest batters of his time.

Donald made his test debut against the West Indies in 1992 and his last outing was against Australia in Johannesburg in 2002.

The right-arm speedster bagged 330 wickets in 72 tests at a brilliant average of 22.25. Donald took 20 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in his legendary career.

3. Makhaya Ntini – 390 wickets

Makhaya Ntini was an awkward bowler to face because he used to bowl from wide of the crease. Plus, he had a good pace.

The former speedster picked up 390 wickets in 101 tests at a decent bowling average of 28.82. He bagged 18 five-wicket hauls and four 10-wicket match hauls in his test career.

2. Shaun Pollock – 421 wickets

One of the finest all-rounders in South African cricketing history, Shaun Pollack is the second-highest wicket-taker for his country in test cricket.

Pollock made his test debut against England in Centurion 1995 and bowed out against the West Indies in Durban in 2008.

Pollack took 421 wickets in 108 test matches at a terrific average of 23.11, including 16 five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket match haul. With bat, he amassed 3781 runs at an average of 32.31, with two centuries and 16 half-centuries.

1. Dale Steyn – 439 wickets

Hailed by many as South Africa’s greatest bowler, Dale Steyn is his country’s leading test wicket-taker with 439 scalps.

The legendary pacer made his test debut against England in 2004 and played his last match against Sri Lanka in 2019. In his test career, Steyn took 439 wickets in 93 matches at an outstanding average of 22.95 and bagged 26 five-wicket hauls and five 10-wicket match hauls.

Steyn destroyed the opposition with his extreme pace and ability to swing the ball both ways. His skillset coupled with his accuracy made him arguably the best pacer in the world in his time. Due to injuries, he missed out on achieving 500+ test wickets.

(All stats updated till 31st October, 2024)

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