Top 5 Fastest Centuries in Test Cricket by South African Batsmen

Test cricket is a game that needs a lot of patience and skill. Batsmen have to face bowlers for a long time. But sometimes, they need to score runs quickly to help their team. Fast centuries can change the game and put pressure on the other team. In this article, we will look at the fastest centuries scored by South African batsmen in Test cricket. These players showed they could score fast and make a big impact.

Fastest Centuries by South African Batsmen

Here are the five fastest centuries by South African batsmen in Test cricket:

Rank	Player	Balls Faced	Opponent	Venue	Year
5	Shaun Pollock	95	Sri Lanka	Centurion	2001
4	Jonty Rhodes	95	West Indies	Centurion	1998
3	Denis Lindsay	95	Australia	Johannesburg	1966
2	Hashim Amla	87	Australia	Perth	2012
1	AB de Villiers	75	India	Centurion	2010

5. Shaun Pollock – 95 Balls

Shaun Pollock is a famous all-rounder. He scored an important century against Sri Lanka in 2001. South Africa was in trouble at 204/7. Pollock played very well and made his century in just 95 balls. His score helped the team reach a total of 378 runs. South Africa won the match by an innings and seven runs, and Pollock was named Player of the Match.

4. Jonty Rhodes – 95 Balls

Jonty Rhodes also scored a century in 95 balls against the West Indies in 1998. He played at Centurion and hit eight fours and six sixes. He made 95 runs, which helped South Africa take a big lead of 568 runs. They won the match by 351 runs, and Rhodes was named Player of the Match.

3. Denis Lindsay – 95 Balls

In 1966, Denis Lindsay scored his century in 95 balls against Australia. Playing in Johannesburg, he scored 182 runs when South Africa was behind by 126 runs. His score helped South Africa reach 620 runs in their second innings. Australia was out for 261 runs, and South Africa won by 233 runs.

2. Hashim Amla – 87 Balls

Hashim Amla is one of the best batsmen. In 2012, he scored a quick century off just 87 balls against Australia in Perth. He hit 21 boundaries and made 196 runs, helping South Africa post 569 runs in their second innings. They won the match by 309 runs.

1. AB de Villiers – 75 Balls

AB de Villiers, known as “Mr. 360-degree,” holds the record for the fastest century by a South African in Test cricket. He scored a century in just 75 balls against India in 2010 at Centurion. De Villiers hit 12 fours and five sixes, helping South Africa set a target of 620 runs. India struggled in their second innings, making 459 runs, and South Africa won by an innings and 25 runs.

Conclusion

These amazing innings show the skill and energy of South African batsmen in Test cricket. The fast centuries by players like AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla highlight their ability to change the game quickly. Fast centuries lift the team’s spirits and put a lot of pressure on the other team, showing the exciting side of Test cricket.

Also Read: Top 5 Highest Scores by South African Batsmen Against Bangladesh in Test Cricket