Top 5 Tests played between South Africa and Australia

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The rivalry between Australia and South Africa has been one of the most absorbing contests in Test cricket for the better part of the last quarter of a century. Both teams have had some of the finest teams in the world throughout the majority of the period and have been involved in bruising Test match battles.

Inexplicably, South Africa have failed to win a series against Australia at home since their readmission to international cricket but they have actually beaten them away. It is, without a doubt, one of the biggest rivalries in cricket and before the two teams cross swords again next month, here is a look at 5 of the greatest Test matches they have been involved in.

#5 Draw at Adelaide, 2012

Drawn Test matches are usually boring affairs but there are some that can be as absorbing as ones that produce a result. The game between South Africa and Australia at Adelaide, back in 2012, was in that category.

The teams were locked at 0-0 when they arrived for the 2nd Test at Adelaide and Australia drew first blood after they made 550 in their first innings, thanks to a 230 from Michael Clarke and centuries from Michael Hussey and David Warner. South Africa could only manage 388 in response and after the hosts declared their second innings at 267 for 8, the visitors were left to score 430 to win, in more than 5 sessions.

By the 4th day, the Test looked as good as done after South Africa slumped to 45 for 4 but that is when Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers produced a spectacle of defensive batting that came to be known as the 'blockathon'. The two added only 119 runs in their partnership but consumed 68 overs in a display of dogged blocking. When the game eventually ended, du Plessis was still at the crease, having made 110 off 466 deliveries and South Africa somehow managed to escape with a draw. 

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