Ryan Rickelton Makes History: First South African Test Opener to Score 250 at Home Against Pakistan in Cape Town

In a remarkable display of batting prowess, Ryan Rickelton etched his name in the record books by becoming the first South African opener to score over 250 runs in a Test match at home. This milestone was achieved during the second Test against Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday.

The 28-year-old batsman, playing in his 17th Test innings, put on an impressive performance that spanned over two days. After South Africa decided to bat first, Rickelton concluded the opening day with a solid score of 176. He then accelerated his innings on Day 2, surpassing the 200-run mark in the second session, supported by fellow batsmen Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreyne, who also contributed centuries.

Rickelton reached his double hundred off 266 balls and ultimately finished his innings with a score of 259 runs from 343 deliveries. His magnificent knock included 29 fours and three sixes, helping South Africa to dominate the Pakistani bowling attack and push their total beyond 550 runs.

By scoring 259, Rickelton became only the second Proteas player to record a score of 250 or more at home, following in the footsteps of Graeme Smith, who achieved two double centuries during a tour in England in 2003. Rickelton is also the eighth South African batsman to exceed the 250-run mark in a Test innings. Remarkably, Hashim Amla remains the only player in the country’s history to have scored a triple century, with an unbeaten 311 against England at The Oval in 2012.

The innings marked a significant turnaround for Rickelton, who in his previous 16 Test innings had scored a total of only 357 runs, averaging 25.50. His latest performance has propelled his career aggregate to over 600 runs in just 10 Tests, raising his batting average above 43.

Here’s a list of the top Test scores by South African batsmen at home:

• Hashim Amla: 311* vs. England, The Oval, July 19, 2012
• AB de Villiers: 278* vs. Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, November 20, 2010
• Graeme Smith: 277 vs. England, Birmingham, July 24, 2003
• Daryll Cullinan: 275* vs. New Zealand, Auckland, February 27, 1999
• Gary Kirsten: 275 vs. England, Durban, December 26, 1999
• Graeme Pollock: 274 vs. Australia, Durban, February 5, 1970
• Graeme Smith: 259 vs. England, Lord’s, July 31, 2003
• Ryan Rickelton: 259 vs. Pakistan, Cape Town, January 3, 2025

Rickelton’s record-breaking innings not only highlights his talent but also adds a fresh chapter to South African cricket history.