Quinton de Kock relished the Player of the Match accolade as South Africa completed a convincing 107-run victory on day four of the final Test at the Wanderers on Monday.

De Kock struck a superb 129 in the third innings for a fourth Test career century. The score, too, was the joint best of his career. Previously, the hard-hitting left-hander had gathered 129 not out against England at SuperSport Park in Centurion in January 2016.

‘Any Test century will mean a lot. I’ve worked hard over a last couple of months. Me and batting coach Dale Benkenstein have worked on a few technical things,’ said De Kock.

He praised teammate Duanne Olivier, who clinched the Player of the Series accolade on the back of two dozen wickets in three matches. Fellow fast bowler Dale Steyn, meanwhile, snared 12 wickets. Olivier’s role proved particularly important in the absence of all-rounder Vernon Philander, who missed one Test against Pakistan due to injury.

‘Big man Olivier is bowling very well – he has done it at the franchise level and it’s a great show at the international level. Old man Steyn is back and it is great to see him bowling in full flight,’ added De Kock.

The South Africans and Pakistanis will soon meet for five ODIs and three T20Is. They will oppose each other again later this year, when the World Cup gets underway in the United Kingdom.

Photo: Gallo