Mark Boucher could quite easily call it quits on a record-breaking 14-year Test career, sit back, relax, marvel at his achievements and gloat in the accolades that would surely come flooding his way.

But no, the Proteas wicketkeeper-batsman, who celebrates his 35th birthday today, is made of sterner stuff and hasn’t contemplated retiring from the Test arena.

Instead, the stocky framed, gutsy performer remains as passionate about the game as he did when he made his Test debut back in 1997 against Pakistan, aged 20.

“To be given the chance to represent one’s country is a huge honour and privilege and one that I respect with absolute commitment,” said Boucher.

“I love the game and all that goes with it, at all levels. I’ve had a long innings. I still get goose bumps every time I step on to the field, there’s no feeling like it, I want it to continue.

“But there are no guarantees. You are, as the saying goes, ‘only as good as your last game’. And mine wasn’t that bad in the second Test against Australia.

“I thought I was in good nick with the bat before falling cheaply and my keeping was pretty nifty as well.

“But I know I haven’t been contributing much with the bat in recent times and know that the pressure for me to start making telling contributions is on.”

Boucher took five catches in the drawn two-match Test series against Australia to become the first player to take 500 catches (currently 504 catches, 22 stumpings), but scored just 22 runs in three innings coming in at No7.

Being the last recognised batsman before the start of the tail places Boucher under pressure to score and milk as many runs with the tailenders, something he has been able to accomplish on many occasions in compiling over 5000 runs in 141 matches at an average of 30.29, placing him second on the all-time run list for ’keepers, behind Australian Adam Gilchrist.

Boucher has scored five centuries (his last came seven years ago against the West Indies) and 34 50s.

The fact that he’s been shy of runs has placed Boucher under scrutiny to justify his future selection.

“I thrive on pressure, if there are challenges to my slot in the Test team, I welcome it.

“I’ve never taken my selection as a given, one has to continue contributing to the team’s cause on a consistent basis to justify being selected. I don’t look behind me to see who’s gunning for my place, I only look forward to staying ahead of the chasing pack.”

So who are the pretenders to Boucher who lost his place to Thami Tsolekile for three Tests in 2004-05?

“There aren’t any serious contenders for Mark’s place,” says Richard Pybus, coach of the Cobras, Boucher’s domestic franchise.

“At domestic level, there are players – such as Heino Kuhn (Titans), Darren Smit (Dolphins), Tsolekile (Lions) and Morné van Wyk (Eagles) – who are capable behind the stumps and with the bat, but not in the same class as Mark right now,” Pybus, who has known Boucher since he was 14, said.

“Sure, he hasn’t been scoring big of late, that happens in anyone’s career at times, but let’s not forget he was joint man-of-the-series against England in the 2009/10 series with three crucial half-centuries.

So what drives Boucher to want to continue playing. “The passion, hunger and drive is very much alive in me,” said Boucher.