Top 5 openers to play for South Africa

#5 Graeme Smith

Big, broad and brash, Graeme Smith was the leader and a captain in every aspect. When he started off his career, not many gave him any chance to be successful in the longest format. When he hung up his boots at the end of his career, not only was he one of the most successful batsman in the country but was also the triumphant captain of his team.

He built the South African according to his own principles and made them world beater both at home and abroad. He was also an eloquent man and was prompt and unfiltered in what he thought. And then there was his batting, being the opener helped him in his captaincy too.

In 117 Test matches, Smith scored 9265 runs at an average of 48.25. This included 27 centuries and 38 half-centuries.