CAPE TOWN: South African opener Ryan Rickelton achieved a remarkable feat in the ongoing Test series against Pakistan, equalling legendary Graeme Smith's record for the highest individual Test score by a South African batter in an innings.
Rickelton's 259-run performance, achieved on the second day of the final Test at Newlands, not only matched Smith's record but also catapulted him into the record books as one of South Africa's all-time top Test scorers.
The left-handed batter faced 343 deliveries during his innings, which included 29 boundaries and three sixes.
His effort matched Smith's iconic 259-run knock against England at Lord's in 2003, which had stood as the benchmark for the highest individual Test score by a South African batter.
Rickelton's stunning knock earned him the distinction of becoming the joint seventh-highest scorer for South Africa in Test cricket history, with a strike rate of 75.51 for his 259 runs.
In the annals of South African cricket, only one player has scored a triple century in Test cricket – Hashim Amla.
Amla holds the record for the highest individual score for South Africa with an unbeaten 311* against England at The Oval in 2012.
South Africa’s Highest Individual Test Scores
- Hashim Amla – 311* off 529 balls vs England, July 19, 2012
- AB de Villiers – 278* off 418 balls vs Pakistan, November 20, 2010
- Graeme Smith – 277 off 373 balls vs England, July 24, 2003
- Daryll Cullinan – 275* off 490 balls vs New Zealand, February 27, 1999
- Gary Kirsten – 275 off 642 balls vs England, December 26, 1999
- Robert Pollock – 274 off 401 balls vs Australia, February 5, 1970
- Graeme Smith – 259 off 370 balls vs England, July 31, 2003
- Ryan Rickelton – 259 off 343 balls vs Pakistan, January 3, 2025
His blistering 259-run knock, followed by Marco Jansen's explosive fifty, powered South Africa to over 550 runs after losing seven wickets in the final session of the ongoing Test.
Resuming the day at 316/4, South Africa lost David Bedingham early for just five runs, dismissed by Mohammad Abbas.
After Ryan's dismissal, Marco Jansen was not to be outdone, as he reached his third Test fifty and remained at the crease alongside Keshav Maharaj when tea was called, with South Africa at 566/7 in 134 overs.
After tea, South Africa suffered another blow as Jansen was dismissed for 62 from 54 deliveries by Mir Hamza.
For Pakistan, Salman Ali Agha was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Mohammad Abbas and Mir Hamza claimed two each. Khurram Shahzad chipped in with one wicket.
- Graeme Smith