South Africa does not have the best of records in Pakistan since their first Test tour almost three decades ago. However, they don’t have a bad record either, having lost only three out of nine Tests and won two out of four Test series.
However, there have been some brilliant performances from Proteas Test players during the four tours, and Ongama Gcwabe picks five standout performances by South Africans from the subcontinent.
Jacques Kallis in the first Test in Karachi, 2007 – (155, 1/21 & 100 not out) and the second Test in Lahore – (59, 1/7, 107 not out & 1/48)
The 2007 Test trip to Pakistan was Kallis’ second taste of the conditions, having travelled four years prior when South Africa copped a humbling 0-1 series loss. Kallis himself had very little success during that tour. The all-rounder would step up in 2007, scoring three hundreds and one fifty in four innings as South Africa won the series 1-0. Two of the centuries he scored, he finished unbeaten as he carried the Proteas batting unit on his back.
Anrich Nortje in Rawalpindi, 2021 – 5/56 (SA lost by 95 runs & the series 2-0)
Two years into his Test career, Nortje found himself starring at the task of bowling in the often flat wickets in Pakistan, as he had debuted in often similar conditions in India, where fast bowlers often struggle. However, with raw pace, Nortje found success, taking a five-for in Rawalpindi in what was a tough tour for South Africa, having lost the series 0-2.
George Linde in Rawalpindi, 2021 – 5/64 (SA lost by 95 runs & the series 2-0)
In the same match, Linde stepped up to the plate, picking up his first and only Test five-wicket haul in the fourth innings of the match. With the five-for, the slow left-arm orthodox redeemed himself, having had a tough time taking wickets during that tour.
Gary Kirsten in Faisalabad, 1997 – 100 not out & 4 (SA won by 53 runs & took the series 1-0)
In South Africa’s first Test tour of Pakistan, and having drawn the first two Tests, Kirsten pulled off a masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 100 off 208 balls, leading the visitors to 53-run victory and a 1-0 series victory.
Special mentions
Paul Harris in Karachi, 2007 – 5/73 (SA won by 160 runs & took the series 1-0)
Dale Steyn in Karachi, 2007 – 5/56 (SA won by 160 runs & took the series 1-0)
Paul Adams in Lahore, 2003 – 7/128 & 1/57 (SA lost the by 8 wickets & the series 1-0)
