South Africa vs Australia Test series - Kingsmead by the numbers
Kingsmead, Durban, has been a focal point of post-1992 South African Test cricket. The venue has witnessed remarkable performances, with Jacques Kallis leading the run-scorers and Dale Steyn the wicket-takers. Gary Kirsten holds the ground's highest individual Test score, while both massive totals and dramatic collapses have marked Kingsmead's post-isolation era. The article highlights milestones by batters and bowlers, as well as record team highs and lows, underlining Kingsmead’s enduring significance in cricket history.
- South Africa have played 27 Tests at Kingsmead since readmission.
- South Africa have won 11 times at Kingsmead in that period, losing nine Tests.
- Australia beat South Africa by 118 in their last Test meeting at Kingsmead in 2018.
Dale Steyn has taken 50 Test wickets at Kingsmead (Getty Images).
Kingsmead: Test numbers since 1992
Friday’s Test against Australia takes South Africa back to one of the most historic venues of the post-isolation era. The modern Kingsmead story began on 13 November 1992 when South Africa hosted India in their first home Test since readmission, with the match ending in a draw. Since then Kingsmead has produced some remarkable individual performances.
Kingsmead's leading run-scorers
Jacques Kallis heads the post-1992 Kingsmead runs list with 1,266 runs from 16 Tests. Gary Kirsten is second with 1,048 runs followed by AB de Villiers (818), Herschelle Gibbs (646) and Graeme Smith (610).
| Rank | Batter | Team | Runs | Matches | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 1266 | 16 | 177 |
| 2 | Gary Kirsten | South Africa | 1048 | 11 | 275 |
| 3 | AB de Villiers | South Africa | 818 | 11 | 103* |
| 4 | Herschelle Gibbs | South Africa | 646 | 10 | 142 |
| 5 | Graeme Smith | South Africa | 610 | 12 | 147 |
Kirsten owns the biggest innings of the modern era – and indeed the ground's overall Test record – with his monumental 275 against England in 1999/00. He also holds the record for the second-highest Test score at Kingsmead since readmission with his innings of 180 against Sri Lanka in 2000/01. Behind Kirsten’s two scores are Kallis (177 and 162) and Australia's Phillip Hughes (160).
| Rank | Batter | Team | Score | Opponent | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Kirsten | South Africa | 275 | England | 1999/00 |
| 2 | Gary Kirsten | South Africa | 180 | Sri Lanka | 2000/01 |
| 3 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 177 | West Indies | 2003/04 |
| 4 | Jacques Kallis | South Africa | 162 | England | 2004/05 |
| 5 | Phillip Hughes | Australia | 160 | South Africa | 2008/09 |
Bowlers have cashed in at Kingsmead
Dale Steyn is the leading Test wicket-taker of the modern era at Kingsmead with 50 wickets from 10 Tests. Shaun Pollock is next with 44 wickets, followed by Makhaya Ntini (43), Allan Donald (29) and Morne Morkel (28).
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Wickets | Matches | Best innings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dale Steyn | South Africa | 50 | 10 | 6/50 |
| 2 | Shaun Pollock | South Africa | 44 | 12 | 6/50 |
| 3 | Makhaya Ntini | South Africa | 43 | 10 | 5/48 |
| 4 | Allan Donald | South Africa | 29 | 7 | 5/40 |
| 5 | Morne Morkel | South Africa | 28 | 8 | 4/76 |
The best innings analysis is held by Marco Jansen, who demolished Sri Lanka in 2024/25 with figures of 7/13. Other top performances came from Keshav Maharaj (7/32), England's Andy Caddick (7/46), Marchant de Lange (7/81) and the West Indies’ Franklyn Rose (7/84).
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Figures | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Jansen | South Africa | 7/13 | Sri Lanka |
| 2 | Keshav Maharaj | South Africa | 7/32 | Bangladesh |
| 3 | Andy Caddick | England | 7/46 | South Africa |
| 4 | Marchant de Lange | South Africa | 7/81 | Sri Lanka |
| 5 | Franklyn Rose | West Indies | 7/84 | South Africa |
Mammoth scores and epic collapses
The highest team Test score at Kingsmead since readmission came in 2003/04 when South Africa declared on 658/9 against the West Indies. England scored 574/9 (2009/10) and 570/7 (2004/05), while South Africa cashed in with 572/7 against England in 1999/00 and 556/4 against the West Indies in 2007/08.
| Rank | Team | Total | Opponent | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 658/9d | West Indies | 2003/04 |
| 2 | England | 574/9d | South Africa | 2009/10 |
| 3 | South Africa | 572/7d | England | 1999/00 |
| 4 | England | 570/7d | South Africa | 2004/05 |
| 5 | South Africa | 556/4d | West Indies | 2007/08 |
At the other end of the scale Sri Lanka's low score of 42 in 2024/25 is the lowest recent Test score at Kingsmead, while Bangladesh were rolled for 53 in 2021/22 and India were bowled out for 66 in 1996/97. South Africa’s lowest scores at Kingsmead were their score of 131 against India (2010/11) and 133 against England (2009/10).
| Rank | Team | Total | Opponent | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sri Lanka | 42 | South Africa | 2024/25 |
| 2 | Bangladesh | 53 | South Africa | 2021/22 |
| 3 | India | 66 | South Africa | 1996/97 |
| 4 | South Africa | 131 | India | 2010/11 |
| 5 | South Africa | 133 | England | 2009/10 |
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