Australia vs South Africa 2018: Top 5 South African players to watch out for in the four-match series

Hosts will aim to break their home jinx against Australia in this four-match series. Faf Du Plessis will be keen to win the series for South Africa at home.

Faf Du Plessis will be pretty pumped up for the contest as South Africa will compete in four-match series against Australia since 1970. The two Southern Hemisphere rivals will fight hard to win the series.

The history is clearly not in favor of South Africa as hosts have never beaten Australia at home. Du Plessis will be looking to break the hoodoo and upstage Steven Smith and co. in front of home crowds. Certainly, the big players in the squad will have to stand up and produce the big performances for South Africa.

South African will be keen to get off to good start in the first game at Durban as we take a look at the 5 South African players that make an impact with bat and ball in the four-match series.

Hashim Amla

He is one of the modern-day batting greats for South Africa with over 9000 runs to his name in Test Cricket. Amla has certainly delivered for the side in all conditions and against quality bowling lineups around the world. Since 2014, he has suffered from a decline and is not quite the force with the bat in Test cricket. Hashim Amla will certainly be keen to produce big runs for South Africa coming in at no.3 and would want to help the side win their first-ever series against Australia at home.

AB De Villiers

South Africa’s premier batsman would be keen to produce his best with the bat against strong Australian side. This might be De Villiers last hurrah in Test cricket as cricketing fans might see him call it quit from longest format of the game to pursue his long-life day of winning the World Cup. AB De Villiers has certainly made a big impact to South Africa’s batting lineup and was instrumental in South Africa winning the series against India. He has shown full focus and commitment to play for South Africa and has been consistently getting good scores for the side in the format.

Kagiso Rabada

South Africa’s designated enforcer will have to pick up wickets with the new-ball. It might be a tough ask against experienced Australian batting lineup but Rabada will be determined to produce his best with the ball in this series. The 22-year old has impressive numbers in Tests with 120 wickets in 26 games with 7 five-fors to his name. Australians will try to play mind games with him but he will have up for the challenge in the four-match series.

Aiden Markam

The 23-year old has made impressive scores for South Africa in the opening slot in a short span of time in Test cricket. Markam has been marked as a special talent and one for the future by many cricketing pundits. He was also played well in the three-match series against India. He seems to have a good temperament and technique and would be keen to do well against Australia in this series.

Dale Steyn

The 34-year old has been out of action since 2015 after suffering from various injuries. He produced an impressive display with the ball against India at Newlands before suffering from a bruised heel. Steyn is a world-class bowler who will be keen to silence his detractors who dubbed as one who is past his prime. He is an exceptional bowler with the old ball and will be a handful on abrasive surfaces prepared for the games in Durban, Cape Town, and Port Elizabeth. The “Phalaborwa Express” would be focused to produce superlative performances against Australia and help South Africa win the series.

It is certainly going to be a closely contested series with two best bowling arsenals on display in the four-match series.