Top 5 left-handed South African Test openers of all time

#2 Gary Kirsten

Towards the end of his stellar career for South Africa, Gary Kirsten often batted at number 3 but he is best known for his role as a superb opening batsman over the course of 84 Test between 2002 and 2014. Kirsten had an excellent technique but it was coupled with patience, the comfort against all kinds of fast bowling and last but not the least, the ability to play the long innings.

Kirsten was perhaps the most important batsman in the South African top order for years and held it together through his tenacious batting.He might not have been a completely orthodox batsman but he was mighty effective and in those 84 Tests as an opener, he made 5726 runs at an average of 41.79.

He scored 14 centuries and 28 half-centuries during his illustrious career as one of the world's best opening batsmen.