Rise to Prominence and International Debut

Graeme Pollock’s professional cricket journey began in earnest in 1961 when he made his first-class debut. In 1963, he was selected for the South African national team's tour of Australia. Although the tour started poorly with a loss to Western Australia, Pollock soon showcased his talent. During England's 1964–65 tour of South Africa, he scored an impressive 137 runs in the final Test at St George's Park, a defining performance early in his international career.

Test Cricket Achievements

Between 1962 and 1970, Graeme Pollock became a central figure in South Africa's Test cricket team. His most notable run came during the 1966–67 series, where South Africa secured a series victory against Australia. Pollock was integral to this success, delivering several critical performances including in the opening match at the Wanderers. South Africa was scheduled to host England in the 1968–69 season, but political tensions and international opposition to apartheid policies led to the tour’s cancellation. This marked the beginning of South Africa’s sporting isolation.

Pollock played 23 official Test matches from 1963 to 1970, scoring 2,256 runs at an extraordinary average of 60.97. His international career concluded in 1970 following South Africa’s series against Australia. He continued to play domestic cricket with distinction for Eastern Province and later Transvaal.