As South Africa take on Australia for the Test Championship, Dileep Premachandran picks out five classic encounters between the two sides in Australia Second Test, Melbourne, 1952-53
This was South Africa's first noteworthy victory on Australian soil. Russell Endean's superb unbeaten 162 in the second innings transformed the match and paved the way for South Africa's offspin wizard Hugh Tayfield (7 for 81) to lead the Springboks to a historic 82-run victory. Little did Tayfield know that he would end up posthumously heading the Wisden 100 list of greatest Test-match bowling performances. Almanack report

Fifth Test, Melbourne, 1952-53
Six weeks later at the same address, Neil Harvey's magnificent double hundred put Australia on course to seal a 3-1 series victory. But South Africa fought back to finish their first innings only 85 in arrears. Eddie Fuller then instigated an Australian collapse and the visitors set off in pursuit of 295 for victory. Endean, Roy McLean and John Watkins provided the impetus as South Africa made it home with six wickets and a session to spare. In the process, they achieved parity with the Baggy Greens for the first time in their history. Almanack report

Third Test, Sydney, 1963-1964
Peter Pollock's five-wicket haul was followed by a maiden Test century for his brother Graeme, the boy wonder. Australia's response was to pile up 450, with Lawry, O'Neill and Benaud narrowly missing out on hundreds. Set to score 409, South Africa adopted safety-first tactics, finishing the match at 326 for 5. Almanack report

Fourth Test, Adelaide, 1963-64
If the present-day South Africans are looking for inspiration in the Adelaide Test, they need look no further. Trevor Goddard picked up five wickets as Australia finished with 345 on an Adelaide batting beauty. The South African response was magnificent: a double hundred for Barlow and 175 for Pollock who gave further proof, if any was required, that he would be the Bradman of his generation. Barlow picked up three crucial wickets as Australia were dismissed for 331. Goddard and Barlow then saw South Africa home at a canter. Their most emphatic triumph on Aussie soil and it came at the Adelaide Oval … Almanack report

Second Test, Sydney, 1993-94
Don't mention this match to Damien Martyn. For the supposedly sinful stroke that got him out in the second innings, he spent six seasons in the wilderness seeking penitence. It was a match that Australia should have won at a stroll. Shane Warne's ripping leg breaks bowled out South Africa for 174 after tea on the opening day and Michael Slater's uncharacteristically subdued 92 - plus a stylish 59 from Martyn - gave Australia a healthy lead of 118. Warne and Craig McDermott threatened to make short work of the South African second innings but a gutsy knock from Jonty Rhodes enabled South Africa to set their hosts a tricky 117 for victory. A dream spell from former javelin thrower Fanie de Villiers ensured that the stroll in the park turned out to be a violent mugging and Martyn's indiscreet stroke off Donald with just seven needed haunted him for years. Almanack report

Dileep Premachandran is an assistant editor at Wisden.com India

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