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Over the course of the past several decades, countless Australian fast bowlers have emerged with heavy-duty Test match performances against the mighty Proteas outfits that have graced the longest format of the game. These are bowlers that have risen to become household names, not only because of their sheer skill but the ability to catch even big batters from the South African contingent by surprise.
The two great powers of world cricket in the form of Australia and South Africa have, for the longest time, served the sport with a classic rivalry underlined by a slugfest between the bat and ball. In some ways these are two mercurial teams who are combative and competitive in equal measure and have hardly cut any corners.
Although today, the present-day South African side might appear a touch weak to the contemporary fold of the Australian Test line up, back in the nineties and 2000s, the Protea were giants that you'd take lightly only at your peril.
Having said that, which Australians have emerged by virtue of their numbers against South Africa as pure fast bowling greats?
Mitchell Johnson (2008-14)
Fast, furious and imperious with good pace, if there was ever a version of a hostile fast bowler who seldom backed down from a challenge, then it was Mitch Johnson. He was one heck of a bowler who put even the great Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and company under pressure during the intense face offs between two powerful world cricket sides.
Against South Africa, over a six year period of playing Test match cricket, he claimed 64 wickets from just 12 games. His 8 for 61 at the WACA undermined even the presence of big match performers in that very game, illustrious names like De Villiers, Steyn and Lee himself.
Glenn McGrath (1994-2006)
A legend, a hero for Australia, a matter of national pride and a considerable imposer of threat to world's finest batters, one can go on and on about the most accomplished Australian fast-medium of his time.
A glowing star of the nineties who reached peak powers during the end of that decade and made considerable contributions in even world cup contests for Australia, Glenn McGrath hardly cut any corners and back then, was considered among the most challenging bowlers to put away for runs.
During his twelve year period of playing Tests versus South Africa, the lanky right arm pacer took 57 wickets from just 17 contests, which included 680.2 overs and from these, 223 maidens.
William Whitty
A member of the great pre-First World War era, William Whitty, a great left arm fast medium bowler of his day, was considered one of the finest ever to represent Australia in proper Test match cricket. One his most beloved cricketing heroes was the great Victor Trumper, widely known for his gorgeous batting.
But from the onset of 1910-12, before the first Great War began, Whitty, took 50 wickets from just 8 Test matches against South Africa.
If that is not an extremely under rated achievement, then what is? Considered the Australian version of George Hirst, one of the most illustrious English cricketers ever, 50 of his 65 Test wickets came against South Africa and he played just 14 Tests in his career.
Brett Lee (2001-2008)
A towering presence where it comes to the aggressive, high-voltage fast bowlers of his generation, during the seven year period in which the great Brett Lee bowled against the Proteas, he challenged the likes of De Villiers, Kallis and Amla, and took 50 wickets from just 14 games against his challenging opponents. Not only that, but he also bowled a total of 104 maiden overs during his Test career playing against the Proteas.
Peter Siddle (2008-16)
In the post-McGrath, Gillespie and Lee generation, where there was the fiery Johnson leading the fast bowling arsenal of the Aussies, it was Peter Siddle who was considered the second-best during his day. An exceptional bowler who was adept at making the old ball talk big in Test match cricket, Siddle's high arm flowing action was something of a treat to savour, though, not obviously from the batters' point of view.
During the eight year period in which he regularly played versus South Africa, Siddle emerged with 46 wickets from just 13 Test match appearances wearing the Aussie Test whites. A measure of his disciplined bowling can be found out from the fact that he bowled 162 maidens versus South Africa.
