India vs South Africa Test history: Top 5 run-scorers in the iconic fixture

India and South Africa have had a fascinating rivalry in the longer format of the game as the two giants of international cricket have competed in numerous pulsating battles over the years. With the abundance of talent on either side, scintillating action is what cricket enthusiasts have been treated with, every time India face South Africa in Test cricket.

Both nations have been blessed with some of the greatest batsmen of all-time which is why whenever they clash on the Test front, a plethora of runs are expected to be scored. Numerous big names have made their presence felt in this iconic fixture and a lot of runs have been scored in this matchup.

It is often said that the mark of a great batsman is the way he approaches a challenging battle. When it comes to India versus South Africa in Test cricket, some of the all-time greats have let their bat do the talking and here we list down the top five run-getters in the history of this fixture:

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#5 Virender Sehwag - 1306 runs

First Test - India v South Africa: Day 3

The Nawab of Najafgarh made a name for himself as one of the most destructive batsmen to have ever played the beautiful game. The free-flowing Indian opener was a nightmare for the opposition bowlers as his sense of timing and aggressive approach kept the opposition skippers on their toes as to what next might the exuberant Virender Sehwag do.

In a career which spanned well over 14 years, Sehwag amassed a tremendous amount of runs but it was his style of play which mesmerized the cricket enthusiasts. Sehwag particularly enjoyed playing against the Proteas as he scored a total of 1306 runs in 15 Tests against them. Sehwag's highest Test score came against the Proteas in 2008 when smashed the South African bowlers all around the park as scored 319 runs off 304 balls to exhibit one of the most dominating batting displays to have ever been witnessed in international cricket.

With an average of 50.23 and five Test 100s to his name against South Africa, it is safe to say that Sehwag's numbers vindicate the fact that he savoured facing South Africa in the longer format of the game.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#4 AB de Villiers - 1334 runs

South Africa v Australia - 2nd Test: Day 3

The Proteas have had some of the modern-day greats in their ranks and AB de Villiers deservingly falls in that very bracket. Mr 360 is credited for revolutionalising the shorter format of the game but cricket enthusiasts will agree to the fact that de Villiers was equally impressive on the Test front as well.

De Villiers enjoys a massive fan following in India courtesy of his enthralling performances in the Indian Premier League. The former South African skipper has always enjoyed playing in India - be it in the IPL or against India in the international matches.

Havng scored 1334 runs in 20 Test matches against India, de Villiers is one of the most prolific South African run-scorers against India in the longer format of the game. His score of 217* against the subcontinent giants at Ahmedabad is still fondly remembered by the South African cricket devotees. The Indians fans too were left in awe by de Villier's batting prowess.

#3 Hashim Amla - 1528 runs

South Africa v India - 2nd Test, Day 1

From the gruelling Test cricket to the swashbuckling T20 cricket, Hashim Amla has left traces of greatness in every format of the game. The former South African opener is undoubtedly one of the most technically gifted batsmen of all-time and avid fans of the game will agree to the fact that an on-song Amla was a scary prospect for any bowling unit in the world.

Amla scored a substantial total of 9.282 runs in his glorious career of which 1528 came against India. The veteran played 21 Tests against India in which he troubled the Indian bowlers on numerous occasions as he crossed the 100-run mark on five instances. His most memorable knock against the Indians came in 2010 when he scored 253* at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

Amla's efforts with the bat helped South Africa inflict a devastating defeat upon Team India as the visitors won by an innings and 6 runs.

#2 Jacques Kallis - 1734 runs

South Africa v India 2nd Test - Day 4

With more than 13,000 runs and close of 300 wickets to his name in Test cricket, Jacques Kallis is a legend of the game in every sense. The South African is often regarded as the greatest all-rounder of all-time and it was his class, his sheer will to succeed which made him such a terror for the opposition.

Kallis certainly relished playing against India, having scored a whopping 1734 runs in 18 Tests against the subcontinent giants. His average of 69.36 against India truly underlines the fact that the South African great was at his prolific best in this historic fixture.

Kallis scored seven 100s against India in Test cricket, including one massive inning of 201* in 2010 at Centurion. His blissful innings came at the expense of a horrendous outing for the Indian bowlers who found it extremely to contain Kallis’ masterful batting. South Africa went on to win the match by an innings and 25 runs with Kallis receiving the Man of the Match award.

#1 Sachin Tendulkar - 1741 runs

South Africa v India 1st Test - Day 4

The ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar is often regarded as the greatest batsman of all-time and if stats are to be considered then he truly is. The legendary Indian batsman has a plethora of records to his name ranging from most ODI runs to most Test runs, and these records are mere testaments to define Tendulkar’s status as one of the finest cricketers of all-time.

The Proteas have faced the wrath of the Indian stalwart on one too many occasions as Tendulkar possesses a magnificent record against them in the longer format of the game. In total, Tendulkar played 25 Tests against South Africa in which he amassed 1741 runs which makes him the highest run-scorer in this iconic fixture.

His heroic knock against the Proteas in 1997 is still well remembered by the ardent supporters of Indian cricket as Tendulkar played out of his skin to score 169 against a lethal South African bowling unit at Cape Town. The score remains his highest ever against South Africa in Test cricket.