Top 5 No. 6 South African Test batsmen of all time

Think South African cricket and besides their ability to choke in pressure games, one remembers the horde of talented cricketers that have graced the cricketing field from the nation. Exceptionally talented with great skills, a number of South African Test cricketers have scripted memorable records that will stand the test of time.

Many of these cricketers have batted at the crucial number 6 position- a spot which holds great importance in the Test arena. Not only do players have to possess a sturdy technique, they have to adapt comfortably while batting both with the top-order and the tail.

Here is a look at the top 5 number 6 batsmen from South Africa.

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#5 Jock Cameron

Jock Cameron, who made his debut for the Rainbow Nation back in 1927, was primarily a wicket-keeper who played at the number 6 spot for a major part of his career.

The right-hander played 26 Tests for his country, of which he batted in his preferred position of 6 on 17 occasions. He averaged 36.23 in the spot, which is in sharp contrast to his average of fewer than 30 when he was batting higher up the order. With 761 runs in 22 innings, Cameron is South Africa’s fifth most successful player at number 6.

He, unfortunately, died at the age of 30, just two months after he had played his last Test match for South Africa.

#4 Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma in just 27 Test matches has pushed himself to occupy the number four position in the highest run-getters list at number 6 for South Africa.

Having made his debut against West Indies in 2014, the youngster has played a majority of his matches at the number 6 spot. Though he averages just 30.38 here, which is much lower than his Test average of 33.13, his only hundred was notched up when he gritted it out with Chris Morris against England at number 6.

With 5 of his 9 half-centuries scored in the middle-order, the player, whose game relies more on finesse rather than on power, has been able to make his mark in a crucial position in the batting line-up.

#3 Mark Boucher

Undoubtedly one of the best wicket-keeper to have played the game in the country, Mark Boucher would set out at number 6 in the early days of his career, before shifting to the number 7 spot.

At 6, he played only 22 games but averaged an astounding 42.65, which is the highest for the player at any position. Two of his five centuries were scored here and he finished his Test career with 981 runs at number 6.

#2 Jonty Rhodes

Jonty Rhodes needs no introduction. Known for his wild fielding antics and his superhuman diving efforts, the South African stamped his name in the list of South Africa’s most revered sportsmen. Even as a batsman, he tasted decent success, averaging 35.66 in 52 games.

Unlike the other players already in this list, Rhodes stamped his identity at the number 6 position for the Proteas, playing 35 of his 52 games in this position. All his three hundreds were scored when he was batting at his preferred spot, where he averaged 41.20. With 1813 runs at 6, Rhodes is the second highest run-getter for South Africa in this spot.

#1 AB de Villiers

There is seriously nothing that Abraham Benjamin de Villiers cannot do. Even though the maverick prefers batting at either number 4 or 5, he never disappointed the team if he was asked to bat lower down the order. With 2394 runs in this position, including 5 centuries and fourteen fifties, de Villiers summarises that cricketer who can successfully adjust according to the side’s needs.

Despite playing just 40 of his 110 matches at 6, he consistently notched up the runs and hence occupies the numero uno ranking in the list.