CONGRATS! 50-up for Proteas' Philander

Cape Town - Proteas star all-rounder Vernon Philander will play his 50th Test for his country against India at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

LIVE: Proteas v India, 3rd Test - Day 1

The first ball is due to be bowled at 10:00.

Philander will become the 19th player to have played a half-century of Tests for South Africa, breaking out of a tie on 49 with Lance Klusener and joining wicketkeeper from the 1950 and 60s, John Waite on 50.

Jacques Kallis remains SA's most-capped player with 165 Tests to his name.

Philander is expected to relish the conditions at the Wanderers where a traditional 'green mamba' of a wicket appears to have been prepared for the Test.

In his 49 Tests to date, Philander has taken 183 wickets at an average of 21.95 and has scored 1 245 runs at an average of 24.41 with a highest score of 74.

He has also taken 15 catches, confirming his versatility and importance to the balance of the Proteas' line-up.

Thanks brother. Thanks for all those many years in the dirt alongside me guy???? https://t.co/ap70iHV7Fn

— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) January 23, 2018

Thanks brother. Still a few years together in the dirt pal???? https://t.co/k43dUQcTtu

— Vernon Philander (@VDP_24) January 23, 2018