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Cape Town - As the Proteas prepare for the third Test against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg on Thursday, they do so with the spotlight firmly on Hashim Amla, who will become the eighth South African to reach 100 Tests.
The tributes have been pouring in for the 33-year-old, with the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Michael Clarke and JP Duminy all congratulating one of South Africa's greats.
During their time in Australia in November last year, Cricket South Africa (CSA) interviewed numerous cricket personalities and asked them to talk about Amla.
One of those was current Australian captain Steve Smith, who would have been delighted that Amla was restricted to just 96 runs in the entire series Down Under.
Still, Smith had kind words for a man he considered to be the complete package at Test level.
"To play 100 Tests is an incredible feat and it means you're doing so many things right on and off the field," said Smith.
"Those are the kind of players that come on once every now and again. He's done a terrific job for South Africa and we wish him all the best in his 100 Test match and all the bets into the future as well.
"He's incredibly consistent, he knows his game incredibly well in all conditions and he occupies the crease for long periods of time and scores big scores ... he's everything you want in a Test player.
"Everything I've heard is that he's one of the nicest guys on the cricketing circuit so those are always great things to hear and he's a quality player as well.
Amla joins Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, Graeme Smith, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Gary Kirsten and Makhaya Ntini in the '100 club'.
