Du Plessis: Steyn is Proteas' greatest ever bowler

Dale Steyn needs only one Test wicket to go out on his own as South Africa's leading all-time Test wicket-taker.

Steyn needs just one wicket to surpass Shaun Pollock's tally of 421 in the longest format.

Faf du Plessis rates Dale Steyn as South Africa's "best ever bowler" as the paceman stands on the brink of becoming the Proteas' outright all-time leading Test wicket-taker.

Steyn needs just one wicket to surpass Shaun Pollock's tally of 421 in the longest format ahead of a three-match Test series against Pakistan, which starts on Boxing Day.

The 35-year-old quick has been hampered by injuries during a stellar career, but Proteas captain du Plessis ranks him as the greatest bowler his country has produced.

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Du Plessis is also pleased Steyn is set to break the record in his homeland.

"I think he is South Africa's best ever bowler," he told Netwerk24

"If he broke the record in Sri Lanka there would have been nobody to celebrate with him.

"This way, in South Africa, he will be in front of all of his family and friends."