5 South African cricketers with the highest score on Test debut

Making one's Test debut for the national team is perhaps the biggest moment in one's life. Over the course of their cricketing history, the South African batsmen have provided a plenty of knocks for an ardent fan to remember. However, very few can actually boast of delivering on their first outing on the international stage and that is, even more, the case when it comes to batsmen. Scoring big on a Test debut is a rare achievement but many South African batsmen have been successful in delivering sterling performances in their first games.

Here is a look at the 5 batsmen, who will go down in history for being the top 5 scorers on debut for South Africa in Test cricket.

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#5 Stiaan van Zyl- 101 not out against West Indies at Centurion, 2014

A wonderful knock on his debut

The left-handed middle-order batsman Stiaan van Zyl was a heavy scorer in the South African domestic circuit for many years before he made it to the national team. After waiting for a long time to get a chance to play, his time to shine came in the 1st Test of the three-match series against the West Indies at home at Centurion Park. During the course of a run fest, Van Zyl played an excellent innings to bring up his century on debut. He came in to bat after Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers had plundered centuries.

However, the left-hander cashed in against a tiring attack and scored a quick century to boost South Africa's total further. He hit 15 boundaries and scored 101 in 130 deliveries before The Proteas declared their innings. The hosts went on to win by an innings and 220 runs. He played 11 more Tests for his country before taking up a Kolpak contract in 2017 with English County side, Sussex.

#4 Faf du Plessis- 110 not out against Australia at Adelaide, 2012

Saving the day for his team

It is perhaps the greatest innings played on a debut in modern cricket history and among the greatest match-saving innings in the history of the game. Faf du Plessis made his debut during the 2nd Test of the 3 match series at Adelaide. He blocked Australia's bowling attack for more than 6 hours to deny them a victory. South Africa needed to bat for 148 overs in the 2nd innings to save the game and by the end of the fourth day, they had slipped to 77 for 4.

However, Du Plessis had other ideas and along with AB de Villiers, he decided to play for as long as possible. He eschewed playing strokes and blocked most deliveries en route to an innings that remains a classic Test match knock.

Considering the fact that it was his debut, the innings showed the sort of temperament that he possessed. He faced 466 deliveries for his 110 and remained not out even though 8 wickets were down. He saw his team through and helped South Africa escape with a draw.

#3 Stephen Cook- 115 against England at Centurion, 2016

Beating all odds

England's tour of South Africa in 2015-16 was a forgettable one for the hosts. They had already lost the series when the 4th and final Test of the series came along at Centurion Park. Considering this, it is fair to say that the opening batsman, Stephen Cook made his debut under difficult circumstances. In addition to this, South Africa decided to bat first and Cook was up and against the daunting bowling attack first in the morning.

However, his excellent defensive technique and temperament, that saw him score plenty of runs in South African domestic cricket, helped him survive the early burst from the English bowlers. The right-hander batted for close to 4 hours and hit 14 boundaries to score 115. It remains the third highest score by a South African debutant and the first innings score of 475 laid the foundation for the hosts' consolation victory in that Test.

#2 Andrew Hudson- 163 against West Indies at Bridgetown, 1992

An unforgettable effort

The former South African opening batsman became one of the leading batsmen in the side following the nation's readmission to international cricket and in his very first appearance for his country, Andrew Hudson played an epic inning. Furthermore, he had to play against the combined might of the West Indian fast bowling machinery consisting of Courtney Walsh, Patrick Patterson, Kenny Benjamin and Curtly Ambrose.

It is not an enticing prospect for any batsman, much less a debutant but the right-hander played an innings that should rank among the best in South African history and although, he did not get much support, he batted for 21 minutes short of 9 hours. The second highest score in the innings was 59 and it was Hudson, who stood alone among the ruins of the South African innings. He helped the visitors get a 1st innings lead but eventually, South Africa lost the game after they were shot out for 148 in their pursuit of 201 runs in the 4th innings.

#1 Jacques Rudolph- 222 not out against Bangladesh at Chittagong, 2003

a knock to remember

He was perhaps one of the most gifted young cricketers to have come out of the South African domestic system back in the day and on his Test debut, the left-handed batsman Jacques Rudolph showed why he was so highly rated. He was called up to the national team for the 2003 tour of Bangladesh and in the 1st Test of the series at Chittagong, he reeled off a double hundred to mark his entry into international cricket.

Rudolph's excellent technique, coupled with his graceful stroke-making and glorious cover drives made the Bangladesh bowlers look clueless. He batted for close to 9 hours, hit 29 boundaries and 2 sixes and remained unbeaten on 222 when the team declared its innings. It is the highest score ever made by a South African debutant. He went on to play 48 Test matches for the Proteas.