Tributes pour in ahead of Morkel's final Test

Cape Town - Proteas fast bowler Morne Morkel will be playing his final match for the Proteas before retiring from all forms of international cricket.

READ: On day of tears, Morkel given final bow

Morkel, who made his debut in 2006, has played second fiddle to the likes of Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and, more recently, Kagiso Rabada in the Proteas line-up.

Before the start of Australia's tour, Morkel announced that the four-match Test series would be his last.

He was six short of the 300-wicket mark when the first Test started, but has since gone the mark, reaching 306 by the end of the third Test.

Not only did he become the fifth South African to surpass 300 Test wickets, his nine wickets at Newlands helped him reach a personal high No 6 spot on the ICC Test bowler rankings.

Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis hopes that South African fans in and around Johannesburg will come out and support the lanky fast bowler, who has served 12 years for his country.

"I hope we as a team, and the South African fans, can give him a good send-off," said Du Plessis on Thursday.

Play gets under way on Friday at the Wanderers at 10:00.

Here is what others had to say on Morkel:

After all that’s been going on over the last few days, I just want to wish @mornemorkel65 all best for his last test match in the green and gold. Don’t think I’ll have a dry eye when he walks off the ground for the last time. #legend #ProteaFire

— Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) March 29, 2018

Special day tomorrow for this special man, a true servant of the game and South African cricket, been an absolute pleasure and honor sharing a changing room with you, let's finish off with a bang Mentor @mornemorkel65 #legend

A post shared by Temba Bavuma (@tbavuma11) on Mar 29, 2018 at 4:53am PDT

Prep for our last match together in the green and gold #proteas #BASbrothers
South Africa and fans worldwide will miss u dearly #Legend pic.twitter.com/eRZACo0WyT

— hashim amla (@amlahash) March 29, 2018

Genuinely a proud moment where I get to honour 1 of the greatest humans I know. @mornemorkel65 a true servant to the Proteas and this beautiful game we play. All the best on the final stretch in closing a chapter that I’ve had the privilege to be apart of. Go well my friend. #65 pic.twitter.com/tslYpaXq2k

— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) March 29, 2018

Privileged to share a changeroom with a true gentleman, both on and off the field????????

A post shared by Wiaan Mulder (@wiaan_mulder) on Mar 29, 2018 at 11:42am PDT