Plaudits for Kallis

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 03: Jacques Kallis during the game between the Proteas and the Springboks during day 1 of the Cell C Festival of Cricket at Sahara Park Newlands on January 03, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 03: Jacques Kallis during the game between the Proteas and the Springboks during day 1 of the Cell C Festival of Cricket at Sahara Park Newlands on January 03, 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images)

Published Jul 31, 2014

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Johannesburg – Tributes continued to pour in for Jacques Kallis, who retired from international cricket after an illustaious 19 year career.

Fellow cricketers and the South African Cricketers’ Association (Saca) praised Kallis for his outstanding contribution to the game on Thursday.

Proteas Test captain Hashim Amla, said it was an honour to have played alongside Kallis.

“Jacques was a one in 50 years cricketer who had a huge influence on so many Proteas players over a twenty year period.

“I was privileged to have been one of those. You appreciate the magnitude of the cricketer not only when you look at his record but also when you play alongside him,” Amla said.

Saca president Robin Peterson, said Kallis' composure and poised demenour would be sorely missed.

“People were entertained by Jacques on the field and statistically he is the greatest South African cricketer ever.

“What we were able to see as players however was the man behind all the records. The aura in the change room, the calming influence on other players and the wonderfully subtle sense of humour, often in tight situations,” Peterson said.

Highveld Lions captain Stephen Cook said the legendary all-rounder was an inspiration for many players.

“Most of us playing franchise cricket in South Africa aspire to playing for the Proteas and most have a player we want to be like. For so many striving young franchise cricketers that player was Jacques Kallis. He has inspired so many cricketers at many levels.” – Sapa

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