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Top 51 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time (Updated 2024) | List of the Best South African Cricket Players (A Complete Guide)

Who are the greatest South African cricketers of all-time?

With the passing of Mike Procter, the Proteas family lost another legend. Today we explore the list of greatest cricketers this African nation has produced.

Let’s dive right in.

Key Takeaways

  • Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, AB De Villiers, Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Mike Procter, and Allan Donald have been judged as the Top 10 South African Cricketers of All-Time.
  • We included several players whose careers coincided with South African’s international isolation due to apartheid (1970-1990), namely Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Clive Rice, Eddie Barlow, Jimmy Cook, Kepler Wessels, Peter Kirsten, David Richardson, Garth le Roux, Ken McEwan and Vintcent van der Bijl.

Table of Contents

By the Numbers: The Most Prolific South African Cricketers

Some of the criteria we used to compile this list includes: Most Wickets/Runs in International Cricket*, international caps, ICC Hall of Fame status, World Cup performances, captaincy record, fielding & keeping record, anecdotes (especially for players in the early twentieth century), and match winning performances.

*We considered also considered first class stats for the pre-1990s eras.

Top 10 Most Wickets by South African Bowlers Across Formats: Which South African Cricketer Has taken the Most Wickets?

We first look at the top 10 wicket-takers across formats. Also listed below are the top few wicket-takers in each format for South Africa.

  • Test: Dale Steyn (439), Shaun Pollock (421), Makhaya Ntini (390), Allan Donald (330), Morne Morkel (309)
  • ODI: Shaun Pollock (387), Alland Donald (272), Jacques Kallis (269), Makhaya Ntini (265), Dale Steyn (194)
  • T20I: Tabriz Shamsi (78), Dale Steyn (64), Imran Tahir (61), Lungi Ngidi (60), Wayne Parnell (59)
PlayerWickets
Shaun Pollock823
Dale Steyn697
Makhaya Ntini661
Allan Donald602
Jacques Kallis572
Morne Morkel535
Kagiso Rabada506
Imran Tahir291
Lance Klusener272
Vernon Philander269

*Does not include wickets taken for World XI teams

Top 10 Most Runs by South African Batters Across Formats: Which South African Cricketer Has Scored the Most Runs?

We now move on to the batting side of things.

  • Test: Jacques Kallis (13206), Hashim Amla (9282), Graeme Smith (9253), AB de Villiers (8765), Gary Kirsten (7289)
  • ODI: Jacques Kallis (11550), AB de Villiers (9427), Hashim Amla (8113), Herschelle Gibbs (8094), Graeme Smith (6989)
  • T20I: Quinton de Kock (2277), David Miller (2227), JP Duminy (1934)
PlayerRunsCenturies
Jacques Kallis2542262
AB de Villiers1986447
Hashim Amla1855355
Graeme Smith1722437
Herschelle Gibbs1466135
Gary Kirsten1408734
Quinton de Kock1234728
Faf du Plessis1113623
Mark Boucher102896
Hansie Cronje92798

Other South African Records

Here are some other stats that will help us give us a complete picture.

  • Most Dismissals/Catches Combined: Mark Boucher (988), Quinton de Kock (550), AB de Villiers (475), Jacques Kallis (334), David Richardson (317)
  • The 100-Test Club: Jacques Kallis (165), Mark Boucher (146), Hashim Amla (124), Graeme Smith (116), AB de Villiers (114), Shaun Pollock (108), Gary Kirsten (101), Makhaya Ntini (101)
  • Most Matches as Test Captain: Graeme Smith (108), Hansie Cronje (53), Faf du Plessis (36), Shaun Pollock (26), Dean Elgar (18)
  • Most Matches as ODI Captain: Graeme Smith (149), Hansie Cronje (138), AB de Villiers (103), Shaun Pollock (92), Kepler Wessels (52)
  • List of South African Players in the ICC Hall of Fame: Allan Donald, Aubrey Faulkner, Jacques Kallis, Graeme Pollock, Shaun Pollock, Barry Richards

Also Read:

Top 51 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time (Ranked)

Without further ado, here is the complete list of the 50 greatest South African cricketers of all-time. Enjoy!

Note: Basil D’Oliveira is not considered since he played international cricket for England. He was born in South Africa and moved to England in 1966.

51. Colin Bland (1961-1966)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 21 (Test), 131 (FC)
  • Runs: 1669 (Test), 7249 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 3 (Test), 13 (FC)
  • Catches: 10 (Test), 51 (FC)

Colin Bland revolutionized fielding with unmatched athleticism and set an example for future Protea teams. According to ESPNCricinfo, “Colin Bland will go down in cricket history as one of the greatest cover fielders.” With such greatness, I had to put him in this list.

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50. JP Duminy (2004-2019)

  • Role: All-Rounder (Left Handed Batter, Right Arm Off Spinner)
  • Matches: 46 (Test), 199 (ODI), 81 (T20I)
  • Runs: 2103 (Test), 5117 (ODI), 1934 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 6 (Test), 4 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 42 (Test), 69 (ODI)

JP Duminy specialized in playing cameos in pressure situations down the order. Played a key part in the monumental 414 chase against Australia at Perth in the 4th innings, stitching a 111-run partnership with AB de Villiers.kepp

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49. Fanie de Villiers (1992-1998)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 18 (Test), 83 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 85 (Test), 95 (ODI)
  • 5-fers: 5 (Test)

Fanie de Villiers, a force to be reckoned with in South African cricket during the 1990s, claimed 85 Test scalps and 121 ODI dismissals with his precise bowling

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48. Jock Cameron (1927-1935)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 26 (Test), 107 (FC)
  • Runs: 1239 (Test), 5396 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 11 (FC)
  • Dismissals: 51 (Test), 224 (FC)

Jock Cameron, a cricketing stalwart of the early 20th century, distinguished himself with his masterful wicketkeeping skills and gritty batting. Once in a 1929 County cricket match, he took six catches and also had one stumping.

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47. Kepler Wessels (1982-1994)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 16 (Test), 55 (ODI)
  • Runs: 1027 (Test), 1627 (ODI),
  • Hundreds: 2 (Test)

Kepler Wessels, a true pioneer in South African cricket, won hearts with his gutsy batting, shrewd leadership, and the sheer joy he brought to the game, playing a key part in the nation’s cricketing resurgence while charming fans with his infectious spirit and love for the sport. Played for both Australia and South Africa.

*Only South African statistics shown. Overall, he played 40 Tests & 109 ODIs.

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46. Jonny Waite (1951-1965)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 50 (Test), 199 (FC)
  • Runs: 2405 (Test), 9812 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 4 (Test), 23 (FC)
  • Dismissals: 141 (Test), 511 (FC)

First South African to play 50 Tests. A constant force behind the stumps much like Boucher in the 2000s. Holds the South African record for joint most dismissals (26) in a 5-Test series.

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45. David Richardson (1991-1998)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 42 (Test), 122 (ODI)
  • Runs: 1359 (Test), 868 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 1 (Test)
  • Dismissals: 152 (Test), 165 (ODI)

Now known for his administrative positions in the ICC, Richardson was earlier South Africa’s keeper post the isolation period. Solid keeper.

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44. Jackie McGlew (1951-1962)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 34 (Test), 190 (FC)
  • Runs: 2440 (Test), 12170 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 7 (Test), 27 (FC)

One of the most classical batters in South African history, producing some of the slowest innings of all-time. Noted for carrying the bat and batting for nine hours for a 105 against Australia.

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43. David Miller (2010-)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 173 (ODI), 116 (T20I)
  • Runs: 4458 (ODI), 2268 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 6 (ODI), 2 (T20I)

A specialist limited over batter, Miller will go down as perhaps the greatest #6 ODI batter of all-time along with Michael Bevan, Jos Buttler, and MS Dhoni.

At #6, Miller scored 2718 runs, 3 centuries, and twenty 50+ scores at an average of 40.56 & 104.78 SR. When in form, Killer Miller is just a sight to watch.

*He might rise up the list by the end of his career.

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42. Jonty Rhodes (1992-2003)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 52 (Test), 245 (ODI)
  • Runs: 2532 (Test), 5935 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 3 (Test), 2 (ODI)
  • Catches: 34 (Test), 105 (ODI)

Not many people can boast that they changed their field of expertise. Jonty Rhodes definitely did. With his iconic diving catches and flying run outs, he captured audiences worldwide.

Also Read: Top 32 Best Fielders in Cricket History: Jonty Rhodes, Paul Collingwood…Can You Guess The Rest?

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41. Daryll Cullinan (1993-2001)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 70 (Test), 138 (ODI)
  • Runs: 4554 (Test), 3860 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 14 (Test), 3 (ODI)

Daryll Cullinan, renowned for his elegant batting, showcased his prowess in memorable matches like his 275 against New Zealand in 1999, and his crucial knocks against Sri Lanka and England, solidifying his reputation as a key figure in South African cricket during the 90s.

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40. Vintcent van der Bijl (1967-1983)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 156 (FC), 92 (List A)
  • Wickets: 767 (FC), 132 (List A)
  • 5-fers: 46 (FC), 4 (List A)

Held the record for most wickets in a South Africa’s domestic season (65) at that time. Played his entire career in South Africa’s isolation.

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39. Brian McMillan (1991-1998)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 38 (Test), 78 (ODI)
  • Runs: 1968 (Test), 841 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 3 (Test), 1 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 75 (Test), 70 (ODI)

Brian McMillan, a key figure in South African cricket during the 1990s, played pivotal roles in memorable matches such as the 1992 World Cup and the historic readmission series, showcasing his all-round skills with both bat and ball

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38. Garth Le Roux (1975-1989)

  • Role: Bowling All-Rounder
  • Matches: 239 (FC), 250 (List A)
  • Runs: 5425 (FC), 3151 (List A)
  • Wickets: 838 (FC), 378 (List A)
  • 5-fers: 35 (FC), 5 (list A)

Garth le Roux, a fearsome fast bowler, struck fear into batsmen with his raw pace and hostile deliveries, making him a formidable force in South African cricket during the 1980s, and leaving a lasting impact with his aggressive bowling style and crucial wicket-taking ability.

*His entire career was during South Africa’s isolation

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37. Herbie Taylor (1912-1932)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 42 (Test), 206 (FC)
  • Runs: 2936 (Test), 13105 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 7 (Test), 30 (FC)

Herbie Taylor, a cricketing legend of the early 20th century, was celebrated for his elegant batting style and astute captaincy, leading South Africa with distinction and leaving an enduring legacy as one of the country’s finest batsmen and leaders on the cricket field.

Also served in World War I.

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36. Jimmy Sinclair (1896-1911)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 25 (Test), 129 (FC)
  • Runs: 1069 (Test), 4483 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 3 (Test), 6 (FC)
  • Wickets: 63 (Test), 491 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 1 (Test), 33 (FC)

Jimmy Sinclair, a cricketing pioneer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, captivated audiences with his exceptional batting and laid the foundation for South African cricket’s rich heritage.

One of South Africa’s earliest cricket legends.

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35. Dean Elgar (2012-2024)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 86 (Test), 8 (ODI)
  • Runs: 5347 (Test), 104 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 14 (Test)

One of the premier left handed batters of the 2010s, Elgar’s leadership ensured that South Africa had one world class senior batter during their transition period. One word comes to mind when watching Elgar bat, tenacity. Ready to take body blows and challenge the world.

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34. Vernon Philander (2007-2020)

  • Role: Fast Bowling All-Rounder
  • Matches: 64 (Test), 30 (ODI), 7 (T20I)
  • Wickets: 224 (Test), 41 (ODI), 4 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 13 (Test)

Vernon Philander gave the South African bowling an edge like never before. They have always had pace, seam, and bounce. Philander’s ability to swing it both ways was exactly what the Proteas needed to complement Steyn & Morkel.

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33. Trevor Goddard (1955-1970)

  • Role: All-Rounder (Left Handed Batter, Left Arm Medium Pacer)
  • Matches: 41 (Test), 179 (FC)
  • Runs: 2516 (Test), 11289 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 1 (Test), 26 (FC)
  • Wickets: 123 (Test), 534 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 5 (Test), 24 (FC)

Trevor Goddard, a cricketing stalwart of the 1950s and 1960s, was a formidable all-rounder celebrated for his left-arm spin bowling and solid batting, playing a pivotal role in South African cricket history with his match-winning contributions and leadership on the field, earning him a revered status among fans and peers alike.

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32. Peter Kirsten (1973-1997)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 12 (Test), 40 (ODI), 327 (FC), 358 (List A)
  • Runs: 626 (Test), 1293 (ODI), 22635 (FC), 11403 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 1 (Test), 57 (FC), 10 (List A)

Played international a few years past his prime due to international isolation. 22,635 first class runs is a testament to his talent.

*played 12 Tests and 40 ODIs from 1991-1994

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31. Ken McEwan (1972-1992)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 428 (FC), 409 (List A)
  • Runs: 26628 (FC), 11866 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 74 (FC), 16 (List A)
  • Dismissals: 366 (FC), 142 (List A)

30. Neil Adcock (1953-1962)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 26 (Test), 99 (FC)
  • Wickets: 104 (Test), 405 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 5 (Test), 19 (FC)

First South African fast bowler to 100 test wickets. One of the early greats of South African proud fast bowling history.

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29. Faf du Plessis (2011-)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 69 (Test), 143 (ODI), 50 (T20I)
  • Runs: 4163 (Test), 5507 (ODI), 1528 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 10 (Test), 12 (ODI), 1 (T20I)

A late entrant on the international stage, he grabbed his opportunity with both hands. His epic at Adelaide, blockathon at Delhi, and captaincy towards the end of his career, was the highlight of his career. Still plies his trade around the world after re-inventing himself as a swashbuckling T20 opener.

Also Read: Faf du Plessis & AB De Villiers’ Friendship: Broken Dreams of Faf and ABD

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28. Bruce Mitchell (1929-1949)

  • Role: Batter/Leg Spinner
  • Matches: 42 (Test), 173 (FC)
  • Runs: 3471 (Test), 11395 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 8 (Test), 30 (FC)

Bruce Mitchell, a luminary of South African cricket during the 1930s and 1940s, captivated audiences with his elegant stroke play and strategic brilliance, amassing over 3,000 Test runs at an impressive average of 48.88.

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27. Imran Tahir (2011-2019)

  • Role: Leg Spinner
  • Matches: 20 (Test), 107 (ODI), 38 (T20I), 404 (T20)
  • Wickets: 57 (Test), 173 (ODI), 63 (T20I), 502 (T20)
  • 5-fers: 2 (Test), 3 (ODI), 2 (T20I), 4 (T20)

If you search hard enough, Imran Tahir is probably still playing somewhere around the world and running around the ground with his infectious celebration. Completed South Africa’s bowling attack in the 2010s. One of the greatest spinners to play for South Africa and definitely the greatest leg spinner.

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26. Jimmy Cook (1972-1995)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 3 (Test), 4 (ODI), 270 (FC), 286 (List A)
  • Runs: 107 (Test), 67 (ODI), 21143 (FC), 10639 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 64 (FC), 24 (ODI)

Jimmy Cook, a stalwart of South African cricket during the apartheid era, demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, dominating domestic cricket with his prolific run-scoring and earning widespread admiration despite being denied international opportunities due to the country’s sporting isolation.

*played 3 Tests and 4 ODIs between 1991-1993.

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Top 25 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time: Absolute Greats

We are halfway there…

25. Quinton de Kock (2012-)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 54 (Test), 155 (ODI), 80 (T20I)
  • Runs: 3300 (Test), 6770 (ODI), 2277 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 6 (Test), 21 (ODI), 1 (T20I)
  • Dismissals: 232 (Test), 226 (ODI), 92 (T20I)

A child prodigy that fulfilled his potential. After Graeme Smith retired, Quinton de Kock fit straight through. Even though his Test and ODI careers did not last as long as people would have wanted, he provided plenty of memories. He always got his best out against India and his swivel sixes is still one of the sweetest shots in cricket.

*may continue to rise up the list

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24. Kagiso Rabada (2014-)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 62 (Test), 101 (ODI), 56 (T20I)
  • Wickets: 291 (Test), 157 (ODI), 58 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 14 (Test), 2 (ODI)

One of the top bowlers of the current era. Alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Rabada is a complete bowler across formats. If he stays fit, he has the potential to break Steyn’s record of 439 Test wickets.

*will most likely continue to rise up this list

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23. Dudley Nourse (1935-1951)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 34 (Test), 175 (FC)
  • Runs: 2960 (Test), 12472 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 9 (Test), 41 (FC)

Dudley Nourse, a cricketing legend of the mid-20th century, captivated audiences with his elegant batting style and remarkable consistency, leaving an enduring legacy as one of South Africa’s finest batsmen, whose contributions during the pre- and post-war era remain etched in cricketing folklore.

He served in the Middle East during the World War.

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22. Peter Pollock (1961-1970)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 28 (Test), 127 (FC)
  • Wickets: 116 (Test), 485 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 9 (Test), 27 (FC)

Peter Pollock, a pace bowling sensation of the 1960s and 1970s, showcased his fiery pace and lethal accuracy, leaving a lasting impact on South African cricket with his ability to dismantle batting lineups, epitomizing the spirit of aggression and skill on the field.

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21. Hansie Cronje (1992-2000)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 68 (Test), 188 (ODI)
  • Runs: 3714 (Test), 5565 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 6 (Test), 2 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 43 (Test), 114 (ODI)
  • 5-fers: 1 (ODI)

Charismatic batter. Even more charismatic captain. Legacy tarnished due to the match fixing scandal. Died too early.

Also Read: Netflix ‘Bad Sport’ Fallen Idol Review: Must Watch for All Cricket Fans – How Will History Judge Hansie Cronje?

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20. Morne Morkel (2006-2008)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 86 (Test), 117 (ODI), 44 (T20I)
  • Wickets: 309 (Test), 188 (ODI), 47 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 8 (Test), 2 (ODI)

For every Michael Jordan, there is a Scottie Pippen. The height and constant line and length made him a threatening bowler. Combined with Steyn, the duo destroyed plenty of batting line ups around the world.

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19. Eddie Barlow (1961-1970)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 30 (Test), 283 (FC)
  • Runs: 2516 (Test), 18212 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 6 (Test), 43 (FC)
  • Wickets: 40 (Test), 571 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 1 (Test), 16 (FC)

Eddie Barlow, the dynamic all-rounder of South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s, left an indelible mark with memorable performances like his 114 against Australia in 1966 and his vital contributions in the series against England in 1965

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18. Gary Kirsten (1993-2004)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 101 (Test), 185 (ODI)
  • Runs: 7289 (Test), 6798 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 21 (Test), 13 (ODI)

Gary Kirsten, a prolific batsman of the modern era, distinguished himself with his exceptional technique and unyielding determination, playing a pivotal role in South African cricket’s resurgence in the 1990s and early 2000s. He produced memorable performances such as his monumental 275 against England in 1999 and 188* in an ODI, solidifying his status as one of the nation’s cricketing icons.

Coached India to 2011 World Cup victory to further cement his name in history.

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17. Makhaya Ntini (1998-2011)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 101 (Test), 173 (ODI), 10 (T20I)
  • Wickets: 390 (Test), 266 (ODI), 6 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 18 (Test), 8 (ODI)

Makhaya Ntini, a relentless fast bowler, broke barriers as the first black African cricketer to play for South Africa, leaving an indelible mark with his raw pace, fierce competitiveness, and memorable performances, inspiring a generation of young cricketers and symbolizing the transformation of South African cricket.

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16. Aubrey Faulkner (1906-1924)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 25 (Test), 118 (FC)
  • Runs: 1754 (Test), 6366 (FC)
  • Hundreds: 4 (Test), 13 (FC)
  • Wickets: 82 (Test), 449 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 4 (Test), 33 (FC)

Aubrey Faulkner, a cricketing pioneer of the early 20th century, mesmerized audiences with his remarkable all-round abilities, excelling as a stylish batsman and a cunning spin bowler, leaving an enduring legacy as one of South Africa’s greatest cricketers and a trailblazer for generations to come.

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15. Hugh Tayfield (1949-1960)

  • Role: Off Spinner
  • Matches: 37 (Test), 187 (FC)
  • Wickets: 170 (Test), 864 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 14 (Test), 67 (FC)

Hugh Tayfield, a spin bowling maestro of the 1950s, spun his way into cricketing history with his impeccable accuracy and cunning variations, amassing a record-breaking tally of wickets for South Africa and etching his name among the pantheon of cricketing legends.

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14. Mark Boucher (1997-2012)

  • Role: Wicketkeeper Batter
  • Matches: 147 (Test), 295 (ODI), 25 (T20I)
  • Runs: 5515 (Test), 4686 (ODI), 268 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 5 (Test), 1 (ODI)
  • Dismissals: 555 (Test), 425 (ODI), 19 (T20I)

Mark Boucher is perhaps the most prominent figure behind the stumps in modern cricket. For 15 years, he almost played every match for the Proteas and was a constant force. He had moments with the bat as well such as sealing the 434 chase against Australia in 2006.

Also Read: Top 17 Greatest Wicketkeepers in Cricket History (Men’s): Which Keepers Have the Most Dismissals Across Formats?

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13. Lance Klusener (1996-2004)

  • Role: All-Rounder (Left Handed Batter/Right Handed Medium Pacer)
  • Matches: 49 (Test), 171 (ODI)
  • Runs: 1906 (Test), 3576 (ODI)
  • Hundreds: 4 (Test), 2 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 80 (Test), 192 (ODI)
  • 5-fers: 1 (Test), 6 (ODI)

If you look purely from career stats, Klusener might not be able to compete with the rest of South Africa’s great all-rounders. However, his 1999 World Cup heroics pushes him up. This was the closest South Africa were to a World Cup win.

281 runs at 140.5 average and 122.17 SR to go along with his 17 wickets and 4 player of the match performances. Pioneered the finisher and power hitting role in ODI cricket.

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12. Herschelle Gibbs (1996-2010)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 90 (Test), 248 (ODI), 23 (T20I)
  • Runs: 6167 (Test), 8094 (ODI), 400 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 14 (Test), 21 (ODI)

Herschelle Gibbs was quite the character. The dynamic between the strokemaker Gibbs & gritty Smith helped them become a strong partnership over the years. Gibbs had several moments of his own- The Six Sixes in the 2007 ODI World Cup, 175 in that iconic 434 chase, (oh yeah, and dropping Steve Waugh in the 1999 World Cup).

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11. Clive Rice (1969-1994)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 3 (ODI), 482 (FC), 479 (List A)
  • Runs: 26 (ODI), 26331 (FC), 13474 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 48 (FC), 11 (List A)
  • Wickets: 2 (ODI), 930 (FC), 517 (List A)
  • 5-fers: 23 (FC), 6 (List A)

Clive Rice, a dominant force in South African cricket during the apartheid era, showcased exceptional leadership and all-round skills, symbolizing resilience and determination, and leaving a lasting legacy as a true cricketing icon.

*played 3 ODIs in 1991 at the age of 42

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Top 10 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time: Undisputed Legends

Time for the Final 10!

10. Allan Donald (1991-2003)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 72 (Test), 164 (ODI), 316 (FC)
  • Wickets: 330 (Test), 272 (ODI), 1216 (FC)
  • 5-fers: 20 (Test), 2 (ODI), 68 (FC)

Allan Donald took South African fast bowling to new heights. Handed off the baton to the likes of Shaun Pollock, Ntini, and provided a template for Steyn to follow. Action, pace, celebration, Donald had it all.

Also Read: Top 25 South African Fast Bowlers List (The Complete Guide) | Greatest South African Fast Bowlers of All Time (Updated 2024)

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9. Mike Procter (1967-1970)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 7 (Test), 401 (FC), 271 (List A)
  • Runs: 226 (Test), 21936 (FC), 6624 (List A)
  • Wickets: 41 (Test), 1417 (FC), 344 (List A)
  • 5-fers: 1 (Test), 70 (FC), 7 (List A)

According to ESPNCricinfo, Mike Procter was “probably one of the most natural talents the game has ever seen.” Set the tone for great right handed fast bowling all-rounders to come from this region of the world.

Also Read: Top 55 All-Rounders in Cricket History List (The Complete Guide) | Greatest All-Rounders of All Time (Updated 2023)

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8. Hashim Amla (2004-2019)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 124 (Test), 181 (ODI), 44 (T20I)
  • Runs: 9282 (Test), 8113 (ODI), 1277 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 28 (Test), 27 (ODI)

One of the most elegant opening batters of all-time. He had all the ingredients—Time, Placement, Finesse. Fastest to 3000, 4000, 6000, and 7000 ODI runs.

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7. Graeme Smith (2002-2014)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 117 (Test), 197 (ODI), 33 (T20I)
  • Runs: 9265 (Test), 6989 (ODI), 982 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 27 (Test), 10 (ODI)

One of the greatest left-handed openers of all-time, certainly in the Top 3 of the 21st century. Not the prettiest stroke player, it was his grit, courage, and leadership that differentiated Smith from the rest. Playing with a broken hand, Smith earned the respect of the mighty Australians and the rest of the cricketing fraternity. His captaincy led South Africa to a new era after the match fixing crisis.

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6. Barry Richards (1964-1982)

  • Role: Batter
  • Matches: 4 (Test), 339 (FC), 233 (List A)
  • Runs: 508 (Test), 28358 (FC), 8506 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 2 (Test), 80 (FC), 16 (List A)

A cricketing genius known for his sublime batting, international cricket missed out on one of the great talents. Played only 4 Tests but showed what he could do with 2 hundred, 2 fifties, and average of 72.57. Otherwise racked up 28358 runs with the best score of 356.

*played 4 Tests in 1970

Also Read: 155 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s): Who Is the King of Cricket? (Updated 2023)

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5. Graeme Pollock (1963-1970)

  • Role: Left Handed Batter
  • Matches: 23 (Test), 262 (FC), 118 (List A)
  • Runs: 2256 (Test), 20940 (FC), 4656 (List A)
  • Hundreds: 7 (Test), 64 (FC), 12 (List A)

One of the most elegant left handers of his time, Graeme Pollock played the last of his 23 Tests at the age of 26. Scored a magnificent 274 in the same test as Richards’ 140. South Africa declared for 622/8 and won by an innings and 129 at Durban against Australia. Little did they know that this was their last international series.

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4. Shaun Pollock (1995-2008)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 108 (Test), 303 (ODI), 12 (T20I)
  • Runs: 3781 (Test), 3519 (ODI), 86 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 2 (Test), 1 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 421 (Test), 393 (ODI), 15 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 16 (Test), 5 (ODI)

Opened the bowling for over a decade and built partnerships with Donald, Ntini, and later Steyn. Solid batter down the order as well and captained South Africa to the 1998 Commonwealth Gold, still one of the only victories to their name.

Also Read: 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)

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3. AB De Villiers (2004-2018)

  • Role: Batter/Wicket-Keeper
  • Matches: 114 (Test), 228 (ODI), 78 (T20I)
  • Runs: 8765 (Test), 9577 (ODI), 1672 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 22 (Test), 25 (ODI)

The most versatile batter of the modern age. He had the technical abilities to score 33 (220) and 43 (297) and the destructiveness to score the fastest hundred. One of the original stars of the IPL. Unfortunate to not lift a World Cup and retired from international cricket during his prime.

Also Read: Top 11 Cricketers Who Retired Too Early – The Lost Generation

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2. Dale Steyn (2004-2020)

  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Matches: 93 (Test), 125 (ODI), 47 (T20I)
  • Wickets: 439 (Test), 196 (ODI), 64 (T20I)
  • 5-fers: 26 (Test), 3 (ODI)

The most prolific South African Test fast bowler and arguably the best fast bowler of all-time. He had the perfect action, the rhythm, the speed, and that iconic celebration. The heart of the South African Test team that won around the world between 2008-2015. Freak injuries curtailed his career but his passion came through with multiple comeback attempts.

Also Read: Dale Steyn, The Embodiment of Simplicity and Intensity, Retires—The Greatest Fast Bowler of Them All

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1. Jacques Kallis (1995-2014)

  • Role: All-Rounder
  • Matches: 166 (Test), 328 (ODI), 25 (T20I)
  • Runs: 13289 (Test), 11579 (ODI), 666 (T20I)
  • Hundreds: 45 (Test), 17 (ODI)
  • Wickets: 292 (Test), 273 (ODI), 12 (T20I)

Simply the Greatest. Jacques Kallis is a name synonymous with consistency, hardwork, and discipline. His batting numbers themselves push him into legendary status but it was his fast bowling that provided South Africa the balance they needed.

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Honorable Mentions: List of Players that were considered

Honorable Mentions: Ken McEwan, Albie Morkel, Paul Adams, Cyril Vincent, Anrich Nortje, Vincent van der Bilj, Herbert Taylor, Alan Courie, Basil D’Oliviera, Frank Roro, Eric Petersen, Hylton Ackerman Sr, Henry Fotheringham, Ken McEwan, Stephen Jefferies, Denys Hobson, Ray Jennings, Jock Cameron, Denis Lindsay, Dave Richardson, Jimmy Sinclair, Herbie Taylor, Jackie McGlew, Temba Bavuma, Neil McKenzie, Ashwell Prince, Chris Morris, Wayne Parnell, Charl Langeveldt, Keshav Maharaj, Andre Nel, David Richardson, Nicky Boje

Future Stars: Tristan Stubbs, Tabriz Shams, Lungi Ngidi, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram

Note: “Frank Roro is widely considered the first great black African cricketer” according to ESPNCricinfo although he did not play international cricket.

List of South African Players in World Cup Squads

One key aspect of picking South Africa’s greats was looking at their tournament history and squads.

South Africa won the 1998 Commonwealth Games, 1998 Champions Trophy, and the ICC Test Mace (2013-2015). They were also semi-finalists in the 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015, and 2023 ODI World Cups along with the 2009 & 2014 T20 World Cups.

Here are the complete squads of those tournaments (except for the Test mace).

1998 Champion Squads

  • 1998 Champions Trophy: Hansie Cronje (C), Mark Boucher (WK), Dale Benkenstein, Nicky Boje, Derek Crookes, Daryll Cullinan, Alan Dawson, Steve Elworthy, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Pat Symcox
  • 1998 Commonwealth Games: Shaun Pollock (C), Mark Boucher (WK), Alan Dawson, Andrew Hudson, Dale Benkenstein, Derek Crookes, Henry Williams, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Makhaya Ntini, Michael Rindel, Nicky Boje, Paul Adams, Steve Elworthy

ODI World Cups

  • 1992 ODI CWC: Kepler Wessels (C), David Richardson (WK), Tertius Bosch, Hansie Cronje, Allan Donald, Omar Henry, Andrew Hudson, Peter Kirsten, Adrian Kuiper, Brian McMillan, Meyrick Pringle, Jonny Rhodes, Mark Rushmere, Richard Snell
  • 1999 ODI CWC: Hansie Cronje (C), Mark Boucher (WK), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Dale Benkenstein, Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, Allan Donald, Derek Crookes, Alan Dawson, Lance Klusser, Steve Elworthy, Nicky Boje
  • 2007 ODI CWC: Graeme Smith (C), Mark Boucher (WK), AB de Villiers (WK), Loots Bosman, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Shaun Pollock, Ashwell Prince, Roger Telemachus
  • 2015 ODI CWC: AB de Villiers (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir
  • 2023 ODI CWC: Temba Bavuma (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Keshav Maharaj, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Andel Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lizaad Williams, Rassie van der Dussen, Sisanda Magala*, Anrich Nortje*

*replaced due to injury

T20 World Cups

  • 2009 T20 WC: Graeme Smith (C), Mark Boucher (WK), Yusuf Abdulla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Justin Ontong, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Roelof van der Merwe
  • 2014 T20 WC: Faf du Plessis (C), Quinton de Kock (WK), Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Beuran Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe

Final Thoughts

The rich tapestry of South African cricket is woven with the extraordinary contributions of countless remarkable players spanning different eras.

From the pioneering feats of Jimmy Sinclair and Herbie Taylor to the modern-day brilliance of stars like AB De Villiers and Dale Steyn, each player has left an indelible mark on the sport, shaping its history and inspiring generations.

Through their skill, resilience, and unwavering passion, these cricketing icons have not only entertained fans but also united a nation, showcasing the transformative power of sport in South Africa and beyond.

Who were your favorite players? Comment below.

You May Also Like: Top 50 Greatest West Indies Cricketers of All Time: The Complete List (2023)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time

Who are the greatest South African cricketers of All-Time?

Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, AB De Villiers, Greame Pollock, Barry Richards, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Mike Procter, and Allan Donald were judged as the Top 10 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time. Greatest South African Cricketers of All Time: (From left to right) Allan Donald, Hashim Amla, Barry Richards, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Graeme Pollock, Graeme Smith, Mike Procter

Which cricket talent did South Africa lose out during their international cricket isolation due to apartheid?

Some great players like Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Mike Procter, Clive Rice, Eddie Barlow, Jimmy Cook, Kepler Wessels, Peter Kirsten, David Richardson, Garth le Roux, Vincent van der Bijl, and Ken McEwan lost out on some or all of their careers in the isolation era. Greatest South African Cricketers of All Time: (From left to right) Allan Donald, Hashim Amla, Barry Richards, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, Graeme Pollock, Graeme Smith, Mike Procter

Sources: ESPN Cricinfo’s All-Time XIs South Africa Edition

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 02/18/2024. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

What is the Salary of a SA20 player in South Africa? (Updated 2024)

Today we will discuss the salary of a SA20 player in South Africa.

After years of failing to develop a T20 league, it looks like South Africa finally have a competition that will survive (with the help of the IPL franchises, of course).

However, with Test match tour to NZ being deprioritized due to SA20, there is one question in everyone’s mind: just how much do these players make?

SA20 Salary – By the Numbers

  • The average salary of a South Africa T20 League (SA20) player is $110,000 (maximum 19 players in the squad with a maximum purse of 39.1 million South African Rands or $2.09 Million USD). The salary cap in the 2024 SA20 season increased from R. 34 million to R. 39.1 million.
  • The maximum salary cap for the entire SA20 was $12.55 Million, for a maximum of 114 players, divided among 6 teams.
  • Compared to other leagues, the SA20 ranks at #3 in the richest cricket leagues (according to average salaries).

The South Africa T20 League (SA20) – What is the Average SA20 Salary?

*Note: The amounts shown below are average auction prices. Since pre-auction signing salaries are undisclosed, some of those players are probably earning much higher amounts since the average salary of a SA20 player is $110,000.

Also, the wildcard picks have a minimum salary of R. 175,000, but this can be outside the salary purse.

SA20 TeamAverage Auction Salary Amounts
Durban Super Giants$86,550
Joburg Super Kings$98,640
MI Cape Town$63,270
Paarl Royals$71,620
Pretoria Capitals$95,200
Sunrisers Eastern Cape$106,030

We use the conversion, $1 USD = 18.69 South African Rand (as of 1/7/2024)

SA20 Auction Picks – Salary of South Africa League T20

Now we summarize the salaries for each team based on both the 2023 SA20 Auction as well as the 2024 mini-auction.

If you’re interested in learning about the 2023 major auction as it happened, check this article on the Key Takeaways from the 2023 SA20 Auction.

Note: For replacements, we show the price the original player was auctioned for.

1. Durban Super Giants Player Salaries

  • Average DSG Auction Price: $86,550 (about $1,038,600 spent on 12 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 18

  • Most Expensive Player: Dwaine Pretorius ($219,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: Quinton de Kock, Kyle Mayers, Reece Topley, Prenelan Subrayen, Naveen-ul-Haq, Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Wildcard: Nicholas Pooran

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South Africa Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Keshav MaharajR. 2,500,000$134,000
Heinrich Klaasen R. 4,500,000$240,000
Matthew BreetzkeR. 175,000$9,400
Keshav MaharajR. 2,500,000$134,000
Wiaan MulderR. 1,900,000$102,000
JJ SmutsR. 2,300,000$123,000
Dwaine PretoriusR. 4,100,000$219,000
Keemo PaulR. 850,000$45,000
Tony de Zorzi* (replaced Kyle Abbott)R. 175,000$9,400
Junior DalaR. 175,000$9,400
Jason SmithR. 175,000$9,400
Bryce ParsonsR. 75,000 $4,000

2. Joburg Super Kings Player Salaries

  • Average JSK Auction Price: $98,640 (about $887,800 spent on 9 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 19

  • Most Expensive Player: Donovan Ferreira ($294,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: Faf du Plessis, Gerald Coetzee, Moeen Ali, David Wiese, Sam Cook, Zahir Khan, Romario Shepherd

Wildcard: Imran Tahir, Kyle Simmonds* (replaces Aaron Phangiso, who was the 2023 wildcard)

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South African Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Reeza HendricksR. 4,500,000$240,000
Donovan FerreiraR. 5,500,000$294,000
Leus Du PlooyR. 1,500,000$80,000
Nandre BurgerR. 175,000$9,400
Wayne MadsenR. 850,000$45,000
Lizaad WilliamsR. 325,000$17,400
Sibonelo Makhanya* (replaces Harry Brook)R. 2,100,000$112,000
Dayyaan GaliemR. 1,600,000$86,000
Ronan HermannR. 75,000 $4,000

3. MI Cape Town Player Salaries

  • Average MI Cape Town Auction Price: $63,270 (about $759,200 on12 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 19

  • Most Expensive Player: Rassie van der Dussen, George Linde ($209,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: Kagiso Rabada, Dewald Brevis, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Rashid Khan* (Kieron Pollard will replace him), Tom Banton

Wildcard: Jofra Archer* (Nuwan Thushara replaces Archer)

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South African Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Rassie van der DussenR. 3,900,000$209,000
Ryan RickeltonR. 1,000,000$53,500
Grant RoelofsenR. 175,000$9,400
Delano PotgieterR. 175,000$9,400
Olly StoneR. 850,000$45,000
George LindeR. 3,900,000$209,000
Beuran HendricksR. 275,000$14,700
Duan JansenR. 3,300,000$177,000
Christopher BenjaminR. 175,000$9,400
Neelan van HeerdenR. 175,000$9,400
Thomas Kaber R. 175,000$9,400
Connor EsterhuizenR. 75,000 $4,000

4. Paarl Royals Player Salaries

  • Average PR Auction Price: $71,620 (about $931,000 spent on 13 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 19

  • Most Expensive Player: Tabraiz Shamsi ($230,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: David Miller, Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Kwena Maphaka

Wildcard: Fabian Allen, Andile Phehlukwayo (2023)

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South African Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Jason RoyR. 1,500,000$80,000
Wihan LubbeR. 350,000$18,700
Mitchell van BuurenR. 175,000$9,400
Dane VilasR. 3,300,000$177,000
Lungi NgidiR. 3,400,000$182,000
Tabraiz ShamsiR. 4,300,000$230,000
John TurnerR. 425,000$22,700
Lorcan TuckerR. 175,000$9,400
Ferisco AdamsR. 325,000$17,400
Evan JonesR. 1,700,000$91,000
Bjorn FortuinR. 1,500,000$80,000
Codi YusufR. 175,000$9,400
Lhuan-dre PretoriusR. 75,000 $4,000

5. Pretoria Capitals Player Salaries

  • Average PC Auction Price: $95,200 (about $1,142,400 spent on 12 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 18

  • Most Expensive Player: Rilee Rossouw ($370,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: Migael Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Jimmy Neesham, Corbin Bosch (Paarl Royals earlier), Colin Ingram* (signed as replacement in 2023)

Wildcard: Phil Salt, Senuran Muthusamy (2023)

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South African Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Eathan BoschR. 175,000$9,400
Wayne ParnellR. 5,600,000$300,000
Rilee RossouwR. 6,900,000$370,000
Will JacksR. 1,100,000$59,000
Kyle VerreynneR. 175,000$9,400
Theunis de BruynR. 1,000,000$53,500
Shane DadswellR. 175,000$9,400
Paul StirlingR. 425,000$22,700
Adil Rashid R. 2,400,000$128,000
Matthew BoastR. 1,600,000$86,000
Daryn DupavillionR. 1,700,000$91,000
Steve StolkR. 75,000 $4,000

6. Sunrisers Eastern Cape Player Salaries

  • Average SEC Auction Price: $106,030 (about $1,272,300 spent on 12 players)

Total Number of Squad Players: 18

  • Most Expensive Player: Tristan Stubbs ($492,000)

Pre-Auction Picks: Aiden Markram, Ottniel Baartman, Dawid Malan, Liam Dawson

Wildcard: Craig Overton, Jordan Hermann (2023)

PlayerSA20 Salary (in South African Rands)SA20 Salary (in USD $)
Temba Bavuma (replaces Tom Abell)R. 850,000$45,000
Tristan StubbsR. 9,200,000$492,000
Sarel ErweeR. 175,000$9,400
Adam Rossington R. 425,000$22,700
Marco JansenR. 6,100,000$326,000
Sisanda MagalaR. 5,400,000$289,000
Brydon CarseR. 425,000$22,700
Simon HarmerR. 200,000$10,700
Ayabulela GqamaneR. 175,000$9,400
Caleb SelekaR. 175,000$9,400
Beyers SwanepoelR. 600,000$32,000
Andile SimelaneR. 75,000$4,000

Final Thoughts

2024 is the year where international cricket calendar might finally crash.

The inaugural seasons of SA20, ILT20, and MLC were all a huge season. Now, there is virtually no open space in the international calendar.

The SA20, with its backing from the IPL franchises, will ensure South African cricketers make a decent living, but it may come at the expense of international cricket.

Is it worth it? Can the leagues and international cricket co-exist? What is the solution?

So many questions. What do you say? Comment Below! For now, we can go and enjoy good cricket in the SA20.

Related Cricket Content

Cricket and Finances Articles

For other content on Finances in Cricket, do read:

For other content on South African read, check these out:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Salary of South Africa T20 League (SA20) player

What is the average salary for a South Africa T20 League (SA20) player in South Africa?

The average salary for a SA20 player is about $110,000. Teams had a salary purse of 39.1 Million Rands or $2.09 Million for a maximum of 19 players in their squads. Salary of SA20 player in South Africa. Pictured here - Rabada, Quinton de Kock, and Tristan Stubbs, the most expensive player in the SA20 cricket league.

Is the South Africa T20 League (SAT20) the richest cricket league in the world?

No, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the richest cricket league in the world. The SA20 (South African T20 League) is the 3rd richest league by average player salaries.

Who was the most expensive player in the 2024 SA20 Competition?

Tristan Stubbs (R. 9,200,000 or $492,000) is the most expensive player in the SA20 competition.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 12/16/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

Top 25 South African Fast Bowlers List (The Complete Guide) | Greatest South African Fast Bowlers of All Time (Updated 2024)

There has never been a shortage of South African fast bowlers.

While the era or Dale Steyn & Morne Morkel has ended, the era of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, and Gerald Coetzee is beginning to rise.

Today we explore the greatest South African fast bowlers of all-time, including the era of 1970-1992, the lost generation due to South Africa’s global isolation.

Let’s dive straight in.

Table of Contents

By the Numbers: Which South African Fast Bowlers Have Taken the Most Wickets Across Formats?

Across formats, fast bowlers Shaun Pollock (829), Dale Steyn (699), Makhaya Ntini (662), Allan Donald (602), Jacques Kallis (577), Morne Morkel (544), and Kagiso Rabada (495) took the most wickets for South Africa.

List of the Most Wickets by South African Fast Bowlers Across Formats

PlayerWickets
Shaun Pollock829
Dale Steyn699
Makhaya Ntini662
Allan Donald602
Jacques Kallis577
Morne Morkel544
Kagiso Rabada495
Lance Klusener272
Vernon Philander269
Andre Nel231
Lungi Ngidi199
Fanie de Villiers180
Wayne Parnell173
Hansie Cronje157
Andile Phehlukwayo146
Brian McMillian145
Anrich Nortje144
Andrew Hall143
Charles Langeveldt133
Craig Matthews131
Trevor Goddard123
Lonwabo Tsotsobe121
Peter Pollock116
Neil Adcock104
Kyle Abbott99
Ryan McLaren97
Chris Morris94
Marco Jansen85
Dwaine Pretorius77
Nantie Hayward75
Albie Morkel74
Jimmy Sinclair63
Richard Snell63
Duanne Olivier62
Jimmy Blanckenberg60
Peter Heine58
Roger Telemachus58
Buster Nupen50

Others: Gerald Coetzee (46), Eddie Barlow (40)

*Note: This includes wickets taken for World XI teams as well.

Also Read:

Top 10 Famous South African Fast Bowlers

Top 25 Greatest South African Bowlers of All-Time (Ranked)

We considered multiple aspects while ranking these pacers: (1) Longevity, (2) Stories from opposition batters, (3) Impact in Test Matches, (4) World Cup Performances (both ODI/T20I), and (4) Pace/Talent/Swing.

It was a bit difficult to incorporate the talent lost from the 1970s-1990s since these bowlers had great first-class stats without international experience to back them up. We ranked out-and-out fast bowlers with higher Test match pedigree (ex: Steyn, Donald, Morne Morkel, Rabada) higher than some of these great first-class bowlers (like Mike Procter and Vince van der Bijl).

Lots of great South African pace bowling all-rounders in this list as well. If you haven’t read the 55 greatest all-rounders of all-time article, I would suggest you check that article out as well. Clive Rice, Jacques Kallis, Mike Procter, Eddie Barlow, Lance Klusener, and Brian McMillan make both of these lists.

Here we go!

Honorable Mentions: Vincent Barnese, Trevor Goddard, Adrian Kuiper, Gerald Coetzee, Duanne Olivier, Albie Morkel

25. Jimmy Blanckenberg – 60 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1913-1924
  • Matches: 18 (Test)
  • Wickets: 60
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/76
  • 4w/5w hauls: 1/4
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24. Kyle Abbott – 99 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2013-2017
  • Matches: 11 (Test), 28 (ODI), 21 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 39/34/26
  • Best Figures in Innings: 7/29 (Test), 4/21 (ODI), 3/20 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 0/3 (Test), 2/0 (ODI)
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23. Brian McMillan – 145 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1991-1998
  • Matches: 38 (Test), 78 (ODI)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI): 75/70
  • Best Figures in Innings: 4/65 (Test), 4/32 (ODI)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 2/0 (Test), 1/0 (ODI)
Embed from Getty Images

22. Eddie Barlow – 40 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1961-1970
  • Matches: 30 (Test), 283 (FC)
  • Wickets (Test/FC): 40/571
  • Best Figures in Innings: 5/85 (Test), 7/24 (FC)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 0/1, 16 – 5 wicket hauls (FC)

21. Charl Langeveldt – 133 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2001-2010
  • Matches: 6 (Test), 72 (ODI), 9 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 16/100/17
  • Best Figures in Innings: 5/46 (Test), 5/39 (ODI), 4/19 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 0/1 (Test), 1/2 (ODI), 1/0 (T20I)
Embed from Getty Images

20. Lungi Ngidi – 199 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2017-
  • Matches: 17 (Test), 56 (ODI), 40 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 51/88/60
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/39 (Test), 6/58 (ODI), 5/39
  • 4w/5w hauls: 1/3 (Test), 4/1 (ODI), 2/1 (T20I)
Embed from Getty Images

19. Peter Heine – 58 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1955-1862
  • Matches: 14 (Test)
  • Wickets: 58
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/58
  • 4w/5w hauls: 2/4
Embed from Getty Images

18. Wayne Parnell – 173 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2009-
  • Matches: 6 (Test), 73 (ODI), 56 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 15/99/59
  • Best Figures in Innings: 4/51 (Test), 5/48 (ODI), 5/30
  • 4w/5w hauls: 1/0 (Test), 3/2 (ODI), 1/1 (T20I)
Embed from Getty Images

17. Lance Klusener – 272 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1996-2004
  • Matches: 49 (Test), 171 (ODI)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI): 80/192
  • Best Figures in Innings: 8/64 (Test), 6/49 (ODI)
  • 4w/5w hauls): 2/1 (Test), 1/6 (ODI)
Embed from Getty Images

16. Anrich Nortje – 144 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2019-
  • Matches: 19 (Test), 22 (ODI), 31 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 70/36/38
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/56 (Test), 4/51 (ODI), 4/10 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 1/4 (Test), 3/0 (ODI), 2/0 (T20I)
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15. Garth Le Roux – 838 First Class Wickets

  • Years Played: 1976-1989 (his entire career fell amidst South Africa’s global isolation)
  • Matches: 239 (First Class), 250 (List A)
  • Wickets (FC/List A): 838/378
  • Best Figures in Innings: 8/107 (FC), 6/21 (List A)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 35 – 5w hauls (FC), 16/5 (List A)
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14. Fanie de Villiers – 180 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1992-1998
  • Matches: 18 (Test), 83 (ODI)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI): 85/95
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/23 (Test), 4/27 (ODI)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 6/5 (Test), 2/0 (ODI)
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13. Neil Adcock – 104 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1953-1962
  • Matches: 26 (Test)
  • Wickets: 104
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/43
  • 4w/5w hauls: 5/5
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12. Peter Pollock – 116 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1961-1970
  • Matches: 28 (Test)
  • Wickets: 116
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/38
  • 4w/5w hauls: 1/9
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11. Clive Rice – 930 First Class Wickets

  • Years Played: 1969-1994
  • Matches: 3 (ODI), 482 (FC), 479 (List A)
  • Wickets (ODI/FC/List A): 2/930/517
  • Best Figures in Innings: 1/46, 7/62, 6/18
  • 4w/5w hauls: 23 – 5 wicket hauls (FC), 19/6 (List A)
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10. Jacques Kallis – 577 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1995-2014
  • Matches: 166 (Test), 328 (ODI), 25 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 292/273/12
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/54 (Test), 5/30 (ODI), 4/15 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 7/5 (Test), 2/2 (ODI), 1/0 (T20I)
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9. Mike Procter – 41 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1967-1970
  • Matches: 7 (Test), 401 (First Class)
  • Wickets (Test/FC): 41/1417
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/73 (Test), 9/71 (FC)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 3/1 (Test), 70 – 5 wicket hauls (FC)
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8. Vince van der Bijl – 767 First Class Wickets

According to ESPNCricinfo, van der Bijl was “one of the best bowlers to not play Test cricket.”

  • Years Played: 1967-1983
  • Matches: 156 (FC), 92 (List A)
  • Wickets (FC/List A): 767/132
  • Best Figures in Innings: 8/35 (FC), 5/12 (List A)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 46 – 5 wicket hauls (FC), 2/4 (List A)
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7. Vernon Philander – 269 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2007-2020
  • Matches: 64 (Test), 30 (ODI), 7 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 224/41/4
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/21 (Test), 4/12 (ODI), 2/23 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 8/13 (Test), 2/0 (ODI)
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6. Kagiso Rabada – 495 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2004-
  • Matches: 60 (Test), 101 (ODI), 56 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 280/157/58
  • Best Figures in Innings: 7/112 (Test), 6/16 (ODI), 3/20 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 14/13 (Test), 6/2 (ODI)
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5. Morne Morkel – 544 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2006-2018
  • Matches: 86 (Test), 117 (ODI), 44 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 309/188/47
  • Best Figures in Innings: 6/23 (Test), 5/21 (ODI), 4/17 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 18/8 (Test), 7/2 (ODI), 2/0 (T20I)

Also Read: Top 11 Cricketers Who Retired Too Early – The Lost Generation of Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Michael Clarke

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4. Makhaya Ntini – 662 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1998-2011
  • Matches: 101 (Test), 173 (ODI), 10 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 390/266/6
  • Best Figures in Innings: 7/37 (Test), 6/22 (ODI), 2/22 (T20I)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 19/18 (Test), 8/4 (ODI)
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3. Shaun Pollock – 829 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1995-2008
  • Matches: 108 (Test), 303 (ODI), 12 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 421/393/15
  • Best Figures in Innings: 7/87 (Test), 6/35 (ODI), 3/28
  • 4w/5w hauls: 23/16 (Test), 12/5 (ODI)
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2. Allan Donald – 602 Wickets

  • Years Played: 1991-2003
  • Matches: 72 (Test), 164 (ODI)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI): 330/272
  • Best Figures in Innings: 8/71 (Test), 6/23 (ODI)
  • 4w/5w hauls: 11/20 (Test), 11/2 (ODI)
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1. Dale Steyn – 699 Wickets

  • Years Played: 2004-2020
  • Matches: 93 (Test), 125 (ODI), 47 (T20I)
  • Wickets (Test/ODI/T20I): 439/196/64
  • Best Figures in Innings: 7/51 (Test), 6/39 (ODI), 4/9
  • 4w/5w hauls: 27/26 (Test), 4/3 (ODI), 2/0 (T20I)

Also Read: Dale Steyn, The Embodiment of Simplicity and Intensity, Retires—The Greatest Fast Bowler of Them All

Watch: Dale Steyn vs Australia

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South African Fast Bowlers in Each World Cup

ODI World Cup

  • 1992 ODI WC: Allan Donald, Brian McMillan, Meyrick Pringle, Adrian Kuiper, Hansie Cronje, Richard Snell
  • 1996 ODI WC: Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Fanie de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Brian McMillan, Craig Matthews
  • 1999 ODI WC: Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Steve Elworthy, Dale Benkenstein, Alan Dawson
  • 2003 ODI WC: Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Mode Zondeki
  • 2007 ODI WC: Shaun Pollock, Charl Langeveldt, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Kallis, Justin Kemp, Roger Telemachus
  • 2011 ODI WC: Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Jacques Kallis, Wayne Parnell, Lonwabo Tsotsobe
  • 2015 ODI WC: Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Kyle Abbott, Vernon Philander, Farhaan Behardien, Wayne Parnell
  • 2019 ODI WC: Dale Steyn, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Anrich Nortje* (withdrawn)
  • 2023 ODI WC: Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams, Anrich Nortje*, Sisanda Magala* (withdrawn)

T20 World Cup

  • 2007 T20 WC: Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, Justin Kemp, Johan van der Wath, Vernon Philander
  • 2009 T20 WC: Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Yusuf Abdulla, Jacques Kallis, Wayne Parnell
  • 2010 T20 WC: Juan Theron, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, Charl Langelveldt, Rory Kleinveldt
  • 2012 T20 WC: Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Wayne Parnell, Albie Morkel, Jacques Kallis, Farhaan Behardien
  • 2014 T20 WC: Dale Styen, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Albie Morkel, Farhaan Behardien
  • 2016 T20 WC: Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris, Kyle Abbott, David Wiese, Farhaan Behardien
  • 2021 T20 WC: Kagiso Rabada, Dwaine Pretorius, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, Lizaad Williams*, Andile Phelukwayo* (Reserves)
  • 2022 T20 WC: Kagiso Rabada, Wayne Parnell, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams*, Andile Phelukwayo* (Reserves), Dwaine Pretorius** (Withdrawn)

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite memories growing up in the 2000s was watching the South African fast bowlers.

Dale Steyn’s energy, Shaun Pollock’s accuracy, Vernon Philander’s swing, the beauty in Makhya Ntini’s action, and the tireless nature of Morne Morkel hitting the deck.

The next generation of South African fast bowlers have not disappointed either. Kagiso Rabada has taken the mantle from Dale Steyn, Anrich Nortje is a star, Marco Jansen continues to impress, Lungi Ngidi keeps the bowling unit together, and Gerald Coetzee’s celebrations are a sight to behold.

Anyway, who were your favorite fast bowlers from South Africa?

We Think You Will Also Like

If you liked reading about South African cricket, here are some of our other content on this topic:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Greatest South African Fast Bowlers

Which South African fast bowlers have taken the most wickets?

Across formats, fast bowlers Shaun Pollock (829), Dale Steyn (699), Makhaya Ntini (662), Allan Donald (602), Jacques Kallis (577), Morne Morkel (544), and Kagiso Rabada (495) took the most wickets for South Africa.Top 10 Famous and Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time - The Complete List

Who are the most famous South African fast bowlers?

Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Makhaya Ntini, and Mike Procter are some of the most famous South African fast bowlers.

Who are the Top 10 best South African fast bowlers?

Dale Steyn, Allan Donald, Morne Morkel, Shaun Pollock, Makhaya Ntini, Kagiso Rabada, Vernon Philander, Vince van der Bilj, Mike Procter, and Jacques Kallis are the Top 10 best South African fast bowlers of all-time.South African Fast Bowlers List

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 12/17/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)

South Africa World Cup Chokes, a phrase we have often heard before, maybe too often.

SOUTH AFRICA HAVE BEEN ELIMINATE FROM THE 2022 T20 WORLD CUP, COURTESY THE NETHERLANDS.

I personally do not like the ‘choker’ term, but there is a reason why the Proteas have earned this tag—rain interruptions, inexplicable collapses, internal politics, dropped catches & runouts, mathematical errors, and sometimes they just don’t show up on the big day. So, to refresh your memories, here is the List of Top 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes & Heartbreaks—Men & Women Combined.

Top 17 List of South Africa World Cup Chokes

Here is the complete list of South Africa’s heartbreaks.

Also Read: Top 51 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time (Updated 2024) | List of the Best South African Cricket Players (A Complete Guide)

1. 1999 World Cup Semi-Final (The Run-Out)

Match Scorecard:

What Happened?

The heartbreaks of all heartbreaks. 8 runs needed in 1 over, 1 wicket remaining. Lance Klusener, in the form of his life, hits two fours. 1 run needed in 4 balls. Klusener – 31*(14). Surely, Proteas has one foot in the finals. Unfortunately, not enough feet as Klusener calls for a panic run, Allan Donald ball watches, runs late, and gets run out. Match Tied. The tie breaker? The Super Six match between Australia and South Africa, which Australia won, most famously known for Steve Waugh’s comment to Herschelle Gibbs, “You just dropped the World Cup.” Waugh went on to make a century and Australia won that clash.

Video: The Final Over, Gibbs Drops the World Cup

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2. 1992 World Cup Semi-Final (Rain Drama)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of England vs South Africa 2nd SF 1991/92 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

What’s the fuss with DL method? Or the DLS vs VJD methods? Well, long, long time ago these rules did not exist. 22 needed in 13. Anyone’s game. Rain intervened for a short 10-minute break. Next thing you know, South Africa need 22 runs in 1 ball. Explain that.

3. 2022 T20 World Cup Group Stage Exit (Nerves)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of Netherlands vs South Africa 40th Match, Group 2 2022/23 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Myburgh, Max O’Dowd, Colin Ackermann, Tom Cooper, and Scott Edward’s little contributions took Netherlands to 158/4. Quick start by the Proteas but regular wickets and THAT CATCH by former South African cricketer, Roelof van der Merwe meant SA could only get to 145/8. From top of the group to crashing out. They only needed to win one game of the last two and they failed. The No-Result vs Zimbabwe will pinch them as well.

4. 2003 World Cup Group Stage Exit (Math/DL Method)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs South Africa 40th Match 2002/03 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

1, 0, 0, 5 wides, 1, SIX!, 0, RAIN. Match Tied. South Africa eliminated in the group stage at a home world cup.

Murali bowling to Klusener-Boucher. Last ball-Dot. Reason? South Africa management had miscalculated the DL method and stayed at 229. Had they taken a single, SA would have qualified for the next round.

When asked captain Shaun Pollock in the post-match presentation whether there was any confusion over DL calculations, Pollock replied with “Yeah, Boucher was given a message of 229.”

“So for the second time in a row, South Africa exited with a Tied game. South Africa and the public couldn’t believe it. One run the difference between success and failure.”

– Broadcaster

Video: Duckworth Lewis Drama

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5. 2015 World Cup Semi-Final (Politics, Nerves)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of South Africa vs New Zealand 1st Semi-Final 2014/15 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Well on the field, you cannot really blame South Africa. With the bat, Faf-ABD-Miller got South Africa to a massive total in a, wait for it, rain curtailed game. NZ had less overs to chase, Baz went all out, Grant Elliot played the innings of his life, and Dale Steyn was on his feet at the end. Rain had arrived when SA were cruising at 216/3 in 38 overs. They got 281 in 43, but NZ magnificently chased 299 (DL).

Nerves, drops, run outs missed. But more serious was the off the field news that emerged later about the Abbott-Philander fiasco and the quota interference. The great South African generation was fractured and would collapse in the next couple of years.

Grant Elliot, Superman.

Video: Ian Smith’s Final Moments

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6. 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup Semi-Final (Rain/DL Method)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of AUS Women vs SA Women 2nd Semi-Final 2019/20 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Meg Lanning gets Australia to 134/5. Runs on the board, but still chaseable with South Africa’s solid batting order. But then, rain intervened. Again. And now they needed 98 in 13 overs, much more challenging with the higher required rate. Laura Wolvaardt played a gem of a knock 41* (27) and brought it down to 19 off 6, but unfortunately, no Carlos Brathwaite moment for them.

Video: Australia breaks South Africa’s Hearts

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7. 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup Semi-Final (Nerves/Drops/Extras)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of SA Women vs ENG Women 1st Semi-Final 2017 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

South Africa scored a competitive 218. South Africa defending their last over – Dropped dot ball, 1, Wicket, Four. Another last over heartbreak. The difference between the sides? Extras.4 given by England and 25 by South Africa.

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8. 2011 World Cup Quarter Final (Run-Out Induced Collapse)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of New Zealand vs South Africa 3rd Quarter-Final 2010/11 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Small total to chase, good partnership. All looking good. Then some harsh fighting on the field, a run-out, and the collapse. Perfect ingredients for the ideal South African choke.

From 108-2 in 24 overs to 172 all out in the small chase of 222.

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9. 2021 T20 World Cup Group Stage (Net Run Rate)

Match Scorecard: South Africa beat England South Africa won by 10 runs – South Africa vs England, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 39th Match

What Happened?

4 wins out of 5. Net Run Rate of +0.739. Temba Bavuma unites the team after Quinton de Kock sits out. Surely, nothing can stop them now? Nope. England & Australia both won 4/5 and had an EVEN BETTER net run rate. The Stoinis-Wade partnership in the low scoring first match hurt South Africa.

In their final match against England, they had scored 189/2 and won against the great English side. Even that wasn’t enough as they had to restrict England to 131 to get their NRR high enough.

10. 2009 T20 World Cup Semi-Final (Collapse)

Match: Full Scorecard of Pakistan vs South Africa 1st Semi-Final 2009 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

5 overs, 39/0 in chase of 150. Kallis, AB De Villiers, Smith, Gibbs. Pakistan team squeezed, SA lost by 7 runs. Another semi-final loss.

11. 2007 T20 World Cup Group Stage (Net Run Rate)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of India vs South Africa 24th Match, Group E 2007/08 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

India won this one comfortably. South Africa could only get to 116 in chase of 154. Had they got 10 more runs, they would have qualified to the semi-finals of the inaugural T20 World Cup, but lost out due to NRR yet again.

12. 2007 World Cup Semi-Final (Outplayed)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of South Africa vs Australia 2nd Semi-Final 2006/07 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Finally, South Africa could take revenge of the 1999 World Cup semi-final.

However they only scored 149 and at one time were reeling at 27/5. Never in the game as McGrath blew them away.

13. 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup Semi-Final (Outplayed)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of ENG Women vs SA Women 2nd Semi Final 2021/22 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Danni Wyatt 129* and Ecclestone’s 6/36 made sure South Africa were just not in the game.

14. 2014 T20 World Cup Semi-Final (Virat Kohli Special)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of South Africa vs India 2nd Semi-Final 2013/14 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

Yuvraj Singh departs. India 133-3 in 16 overs, India still need 43 in 4, but Virat Kohli was just too good on that day.

Video: http://Kohli demolishes South Africa

15. 2000 Women’s ODI World Cup Semi-Final (Outplayed)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of SA Women vs AUS Women 1st SF 2000/01 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

South Africa got to 181 in 50 overs, but Lisa Keightley & Belinda Clark were just too good. Chase complete in 31.2 overs.

Also Read: History of Women’s Cricket World Cup – Everything You Need to Know to Prep Yourself for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup

16. 2014 Women’s T20 World Cup Semi-Final (Outplayed)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of SA Women vs ENG Women 2nd Semi-Final 2013/14 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

South Africa could only score 101, while England’s stalwarts Sarah Taylor, Charlotte Edwards, and Heather Knight breezed through the chase in 16.5 overs.

17. 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup Group Match (Collapse)

Match Scorecard: Full Scorecard of SL WMN vs SA WMN 1st Match, Group A 2022/23 – Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

What Happened?

In a chase of 130, South Africa were cruising at 44-1 at 7.2 overs with Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp forming a steady partnership. Then, the spin crunched South Africa as the Proteas collapsed to 72-5. Sune Luus & Sinalo Jafta brought them close, but after the usual run-outs & panic, the Sri Lankan squeezed and won a historic match.

Also Read: Other South African Cricket Articles

  1. Quota System in South African Cricket and Transformation Policy – The Complete Guide
  2. Top 10 Richest Cricket Leagues (By Average Salaries). Which Cricket League Pays the Most (2022)? Can You Guess Where SA20 Ranks?
  3. Salary of Cricketers (Men’s) from Each of the 12 Nations (2022)—The Complete Guide
  4. SA20 Auction Big Takeaways: List of Players Sold, Squads, Surprises, Exclusions, and More!
  5. 49 South African Cricketers Who Left Their Country for Kolpak Deals
  6. 20 South African Born Cricketers Who Play for Other Countries: Labuschagne, Neil Wagner,…Can you Guess the Rest?
  7. Top 11 Cricketers Who Retired Too Early – The Lost Generation of Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Michael Clarke
  8. Faf du Plessis & AB De Villiers’ Friendship: Broken Dreams of Faf and ABD
  9. Dale Steyn, The Embodiment of Simplicity and Intensity, Retires—The Greatest Fast Bowler of Them All
Why are South Africa called ‘Chokers’ in world cricket?
South Africa have failed to qualify due to rain & nerves in 1992, 1999, 2007, 2011, and 2015 ODI World Cups along with 2007, 2009, 2014, and 2022 T20 World Cups, 2014, 2022 Women’s T20 World Cup and 2000, 2017, and 2022 Women’s ODI World Cups.

A collage of South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks

Comment below on your thoughts about South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks! Also, feel free to checkout some of our other recent articles.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, 2021. Originally published on 11/04/2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

Quota System in South African Cricket and Transformation Policy – The Complete Guide: Official Policy, Myths, Stats, and the 2015 World Cup Controversy

The quota system in South African cricket is back in discussion among the cricketing community.

Today, we provide you the COMPLETE GUIDE to South Africa’s transformation policy and answer all your questions.

  • What is official South African cricket quota transformation policy?
  • How does South Africa’s 2022 World Cup squad line up with the quota?
  • What happened in THAT 2015 World Cup semi-final match?
  • Transformation Target Stats, Facts, and Myths
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The Temba Bavuma Question

We are talking about South African’s quota policy since Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s current T20I captain, has been in focus recently.

Things have been downhill for him since his elbow injury earlier in the year. To make matters worse, the T20I captain was not picked up for South Africa’s domestic T20 league.

In his absence, Reeza Hendricks has done a brilliant job at the top with Miller & Maharaj taking captaincy duties.

Now, calls have come for his axe on the eve of the 2022 T20 World Cup following his horrid series against India where he scored 0(4), 0(7), and 0(8) while Hendricks sat on the sidelines. Although he led South Africa courageously in the 2021 T20 World Cup and handled Quinton de Kock during tough times, an average of 23.54 with 116.49 strike rate is way below par for a modern T20 opening batter.

Although Bavuma has rightly faced criticism, there has been lots of slander and accusations that he is only in the XI to fulfill the quota. We will explore this and debunk some myths.

Also Read: Other South African Cricket Articles

  1. Which Cricket League Pays the Most (2022)?
  2. Top 51 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time
  3. Top 25 South African Fast Bowlers List
  4. Salary of Cricketers (Men’s) from Each of the 12 Nations (2022)—The Complete Guide
  5. SA20 Auction Big Takeaways: List of Players Sold, Squads, Surprises, Exclusions, and More!
  6. 49 South African Cricketers Who Left Their Country for Kolpak Deals
  7. 62 South African Born Cricketers Who Play for Other Countries: Labuschagne, Neil Wagner,…Can you Guess the Rest?
  8. Top 11 Cricketers Who Retired Too Early – The Lost Generation of Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, AB De Villiers, Hashim Amla, and Michael Clarke
  9. Faf du Plessis & AB De Villiers’ Friendship: Broken Dreams of Faf and ABD
  10. Dale Steyn, The Embodiment of Simplicity and Intensity, Retires—The Greatest Fast Bowler of Them All

Quota System in South African Cricket: The Complete Guide

*Disclaimer: I am trying to learn about this from an outsider’s point of view. Hence, this research is conducted through official documents from the South African cricket board with the hope of an unbiased analysis.

The Official Transformation Policy Definition

According to the National Pathway Selection Panels, Procedures, and Guidelines document,

“Transformation is defined as a process describing the establishment of a sport system focused on the principles of
Human capital development, equitable resource distribution, elimination of all inequalities, increased access to participation opportunities, skill and capability development at all levels and in all areas of activity, empowerment of the individual, respect for each other, fair and just behavior, innovation to give South Africa a competitive edge in world sport.”

In the SA cricket board’s 2021 Integrated Report, they further elaborate that “Transformation is about improved access, fair opportunity and support for all South Africans, within and beyond the boundaries of the cricket field.”

Key Points on Quota & Selections

The document provides an insight into how transformation targets play an part in South African cricket’s selection. Here is a brief summary with quotes from the official document. Some interesting finds.

  • “It is expected that the selection committee will play its role in ensuring that transformation is aggressively achieved at all levels without compromising the principle of selecting the best team based on current form and the pitch or game conditions.
  • “When selection between two players is debatable and neither is a clear choice (e.g. both have similar track records and ability), where relevant, preference must be given to the player of colour.
  • “In measuring our transformation progress, the panel will be measured on a season average basis rather than on a match-by-match basis.”
  • “Special attention must be given to the development and the creation of opportunities to play black African cricketers at all levels”
  • “We acknowledge that transformation ins not progressing as fast as it could.”
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South African Cricket Transformation Target: The Rules

The South Africa cricket reservation targets must be met as per the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) scorecard projections. By the latest transformation targets, on average about 6 players of color, including 2 black African cricketers should be in the playing XI.

Not only that, but the transformation target is also implemented all throughout South Africa’s cricketing system, from age-level groups to senior internationals.

Here is a truncated version of the projections for the men’s cricket team for the next decade.

Quota Projections

Team (Men’s)Forecast December 2022 % Black AfricanForecast December 2026% Black AfricanForecast December 2030 % Black African
Senior International Team24% 28%32%
South Africa A/Emerging/U-1927-29% 32-33%34-35%
SA School & Colts31%35%37%
U-17 National Camp31%35%37&
Team (Men’s)Forecast December 2022 % Generic BlackForecast December 2026% Generic BlackForecast December 2030 % Generic Black
Senior International Team50% 56%60%
South Africa A/Emerging/U-1950-55% 56-60%60-64%
SA School & Colts52%57%62%
U-17 National Camp52%58%62&

So, how does the South Africa cricket team reservation work?

For South Africa’s senior men team, in 2022, 24% of the players should be Black Africans while 50% overall should be colored.

This means about 2-3 Black African players and 5-6 colored members should be in the XI, while the corresponding figures are 3-4 Black African and 7-8 colored in the squad of 15.

By 2030, the figures will rise to 32% and 60% respectively i.e. the South African XI may need to have an average of 7 colored players (3-4 Black Africans).

Interesting Observations

  1. One thing to note is that consistently in junior level cricket, the transformation target percentages are a lot higher than the international requirement. This definitely sheds a light on the focus of changing the system from the grassroots level and hoping to have an impact in the international level down the road.
  2. The SA20 has no transformation targets (this could be a cause of conflict in the future. If the homegrown South African T20 league does not have transformation requirement since it is in the franchise model, why should the other parts of SA cricket have it? This may have been a factor in no interest for Bavuma in the SA20 auction).

What Happens if Transformation Targets are not Fulfilled by South African Cricket?

According to South African cricket’s Integrated Report 2020/21, here is what happens if guidelines are not followed.

  • Risks: “Non-adherence to CSA undertakings with the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture on transformation in cricket can lead to a withdrawal of privileges accorded to National Federations.
  • Required Actions to Improve Performance: “Tranche payments linked to performance; CSA monitoring and evaluation to improve access and redress.”
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South Africa Racial Quota Statistics at a Glance

To demonstrate how detailed the transformation targets are, here are the results from the 2020/21 selection report statistics.

Women’s Team

The Senior Women had an “on-field Black demographic representation of 48% against CSA target of 50%.” In particular,

Women’s TeamTarget (2018-19)Actual (2018-19)Target (2019-20)Actual (2019-20)
Black African27%26%24%20%
Black54%47%54%47%

Among the 154 selections for the women’s team, the proportions were

  • Women’s ODIs: 45 White, 22 Black African, 8 Colored, 13 Indian
  • Women’s T20Is: 35 White, 21 Black African, 4 Colored, 6 Indian

Men’s Team

The Proteas Men met their Black African player target for EPG 2020 – but did not meet is Black target.

Men’s TeamTarget (2018-19)Actual (2018-19)Target (2019-20)Actual (2019-20)
Black African25%22%22%23%
Black60%49%50%44%

South African Contracted Players

From the 16 nationally contracted players, the proportion is: 8 White, 2 Colored, 4 – Black African, 2 – Indian. 116 selections (62%) of all the 187 selections came from these contracted players. The other 71 selections (38%) came from 16 non-contracted – 10 White, 3 Colored, 3 Black African, 0 Indian. In particular,

  • Men’s Test: 29 White, 11 Black African, 4 Indian, 0 Colored
  • Men’s ODI: 18 White, 11 Black African, 3 Indian, 1 Colored
  • Men’s T20I: 59 White, 24 Black African, 17 Colored, 10 Indian

So Where Does South Africa’s 2022 T20 World Cup Squad Stand?

So let’s get back to the question at the beginning. Where does Temba Bavuma fit in this conversation?

The World Cup squad has 3 Black Africans, 8 White, and 7 Colored players.

  • Black African: Temba Bavuma, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada
  • Colored: Reeza Hendricks, Wayne Parnell
  • Indian: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi
  • White: Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klassen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen

Can South Africa Afford to Drop Temba Bavuma?

In short, yes…if they play both Lungi Ngidi & Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa’s quota concern for the upcoming world cup is NOT Temba Bavuma. Instead, it may be how to balance the bowlers.

With Quinton de Kock-Rilee Rossouw-Aiden Markram-David Miller-Tristan Stubbs, South Africa have a very stable and explosive core of batters. Since no adjustment can be made in the middle order, SA will have to fit all their colored players in the bowling line up. For example, in the India vs South Africa ODI, they went with a bowling line up Parnell, Maharaj, Rabada, Shamsi, and Ngidi (which is all good for now since they are in decent form).

In conclusion, regardless of SA’s choice to play Bavuma or Hendricks, the quota is not impacted. However, with Parnell, Ngidi, and Rabada almost certainties, Nortje & Jansen might be in the sidelines.

None of this actually matters since the first tenet of the transformation goals is to select the best team on the day and the targets will be calculated on average at the end of the season.

Should South Africa Drop Temba Bavuma?

It is never a good sign to drop a captain on the eve of a World Cup, so Bavuma should still be in the squad for sure. However, it may still be good to give Reeza Hendricks some game time since he was in red-hot form.

It may be worth dropping Bavuma down the order and play him as an insurance policy to stem the flow of wickets in case of a collapse rather than as an opening batter.

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2015 World Cup Semi-Final, Kyle Abbott, & Vernon Philander

The quota system is South African cricket came into focus on March 24, 2015. South Africa crashed out of the World Cup due to Grant Elliot heroics.

Thriller of a game, but so near, yet so far for the Proteas yet again.

In the days to come, news came of the internal politics. Although SA had been fielding up to 5 players of color in the early matches (Amla, Duminy, Philander, Tahir, Behardien). However due to injuries, only 3 players were fielded including in the Quarter Finals, where South Africa crushed Sri Lanka by 9 wickets.

Instead of going with an unchanged XI, Vernon Philander (injured in the prior couple of games) replaced Kyle Abbott, who had a good tournament till that point. Later, it was revealed that the South African administrators called the coach/captain and interfered with the selection process.

This broke the team apart and unraveled the heights of the 2007-2015. Kyle Abbott took a Kolpak deal, while Philander retired early. Philander, himself is quoted that there are no hard feelings between him and Abbott.

“When I go to Durban, I have a beer with Kyle. There are no hard feelings between us two. But the point is: Cricket SA must sort out their stuff. What happened was a knock to both of us.”

Where Does South African Cricket Go from Here?

Kevin Pietersen’s exodus to England had already signaled for things to come due to unofficial quotas in the early days. However, South African cricket’s success had hidden the internal conflicts under the carpet.

The Khaya Zondo case revealed that several black African cricketers were picked, but only to ‘make up the numbers and carry the drinks.’ Michael Holding in his conversation with Makhaya Ntini expressed in the SJN hearings how secluded Ntini felt. Kagiso Rabada has been over bowled and not rested/rotated because he ticks the boxes and is really good.

From Faf du Plessis’ “we don’t see color,’ to AB de Villiers’ captaincy hesitations to the SJN hearings, Black Lives Matters, kneeling, etc., the matter is more complex than it seems from the outside.

Is the Transformation Quota System the way to go for South African cricket?

South Africa is not the only country to combat this issue. In the United States, Affirmative Action & India’s reservations with the Mandal Commission have similarly been implemented and received backlash at some point or time or another.

In my own analysis, I did not like treating human beings as statistics and separating them by categories. I am sure as the years go by the implementation will become less strict as equal opportunities would create more organically grown diverse players.

So, is the quota system the best way to go for South African cricket?

I’m not in the best way to answer that, but in order to reverse the prejudice of centuries of discrimination, systematic and grassroots changes are indeed needed.

What do you think about the quota system in South African cricket?

Sources and Further Reading on Quota System in South African Cricket

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Quota System in South African Cricket

What is the quota system in South African?

As of 2022, 2 players of black African ethnicity and 6 colored players need to be fielded in the XI (on average).

Does South Africa cricket team have reservation policy?

Yes, the South African cricket team has a reservation policy to meet transformation targets. The men’s South African team has a target of 22% Black African and 20% Black cricketers in their squads and XIs.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, 2021. Originally published on 10/07/2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).

SA20 Auction Big Takeaways: List of Players Sold, Squads, Surprises, Exclusions, and More!

SA20 Auction gathered lots of attention around the world.

This was not like South Africa’s earlier failed attempts to a T20 league. Graeme Smith is at the head of the organization (league commissioner), the IPL groups own all the franchises, and there was even an auction in this one. This was actually quite an enthralling event to witness.

Big Takeaways & Highlights from SA20 Auction

  • Sri Lankan (most) players go unsold despite a stellar Asia Cup performance
  • MI Cape Town stay true to their franchise and get as many as six uncapped South African players
  • This was a proper T20 league auction. Not one where home grown players’ reputation was kept in thought. T20 captain Temba Bavuma, Test captain Dean Elgar, and Andile Phehlukwayo were all unsold.
  • Tristan Stubb’s profile skyrockets. From an injury replacement at Mumbai Indians to $519,000 price at the SA20 auction.
  • Just like the IPL, the auction propelled a few relatively unknown names in the bags of riches. In this case, it was Donavon Ferreira at $311,000.

And finally, this adds to the tension between international and franchise cricket. This will add another layer to seven types of possible careers cricketers can choose from in the future.

9 Cricketers for Whom Teams Broke the Bank at the SA T20 Auction

  1. Tristan StubbR. 9,200,000 ($519,000)
  2. Rilee RossouwR. 6,900,000 ($389,000)
  3. Marco JansenR. 6,100,000 ($344,000)
  4. Wayne ParnellR. 5,600,000 ($316,000)
  5. Donavon FerreiraR. 5,500,000 ($311,000)
  6. Sisanda Magala R. 5,400,000 ($305,000)
  7. George LindeR. 3,900,000 ($220,000)
  8. Jimmy NeeshamR. 3,600,000 ($203,500)
  9. Duan JansenR. 3,300,000 ($186,500)

5 Prominent Players that were Left Unsold at the SA T20 Auction

  1. Temba Bavuma: Captain of South Africa’s T20 World Cup team, Base Price – R. 850,000 ($48,000)
  2. Andile Phehlukwayo: Base Price – R. 850,000 ($48,000)
  3. Duanne Olivier: Base Price – R. 175,000 ($9,800)
  4. Farhaan Behardien: Base Price – R.175,000 ($9,800)
  5. Aaron Phangiso: Base Price – R. 175,000 ($9,800)

Also Read: 49 South African Cricketers Who Left Their Country for Kolpak Deals

SA T20 List of Pre-Auction Buys

Prior to the auction, each franchise could acquire the services of maximum five players – 1 South African (capped), 1 uncapped, and three overseas players.

MI Cape Town (owned by Mumbai Indians group): Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Sam Curran, Dewald Brevis (uncapped)

Durban Super Giants (owned by Lucknow Super Giants group): Quinton de Kock, Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Reece Topley, Prenelan Subrayen (uncapped)

Sunrisers Eastern Cape (owned by Sunrisers Hyderabad group): Aiden Markram, Ottniel Baartman (uncapped)

Johannesburg Super Kings (owned by Chennai Super Kings group): Faf du Plessis, Gerald Coetzee, Mahesh Theekshana, Romario Shepherd

Paarl Royals (owned by Rajasthan Royals group): David Miller, Jos Buttler, Obed McCoy, Corbin Bosch

Pretoria Capitals (owned by Delhi Capitals group): Anrich Nortje, Migael Pretorius (uncapped)

SA T20 Complete Squads

MI Cape Town

  • Kaigso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen, Ryan Rickelton, George Linde, Beuran Hendricks
  • Rashid Khan, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Olly Stone, Waqar Salamkheil
  • Dwald Brevis, Duan Jansen, Delano Potgieter, Grant Roelofsen, Wesley Marshall, Ziyaad Abrahams

Durban Super Giants

  • Quinton de Kock, Keshav Maharaj, Dwaine Pretorius, Heinrich Klassen, Kyle Abbott, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer
  • Jason Holder, Kyle Mayers, Keemo Paul Reece Topley, Dilshan Madushanka, Johnson Charles
  • Prenelan Subrayen, Matthew Breetzke, Christiaan Jonker

Sunrisers Eastern Cape

  • Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Tristan Stubbs, Sisanda Magala, JJ Smuts, Roelof van der Merwe
  • Mason Crane, Jordan Cox, Adam Rossington, Tom Abell, Brydon Carse
  • Ottniel Baartman, Junaid Dawood, James Fuller, Aya Gqamane, Sarel Erwee

Joburg Super Kings

  • Faf du Plessis, Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Kyle Verreynne, Gerald Coetzee, Lizaad Williams
  • Mahesh Theekshana, Romario Shepherd, Harry Brook, Alzarri Joseph, Lewis Gregory
  • Leus du Plooy, Donavon Ferreira, Nandre Burger, Malusi Siboto, Caleb Seleka

Paarl Royals

  • David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dane Vilas, Bjorn Fortuin, Wihan Lubbe
  • Jos Buttler, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, Obed McCoy
  • Corbin Bosch, Ferisco Adams, Imraan Manack, Evan Jones, Ramon Simmonds, Mitchell van Buuren, Codi Yusuf

Pretoria Capitals

  • Anrich Nortje, Rilee Rossouw, Wayne Parnell, Theunis de Bruyn
  • Phil Salt, Josh Little, Adil Rashid, Will Jacks, Kusal Mendis, Jimmy Neesham
  • Migael Pretorius, Shaun von Berg, Cameron Delport, Marco Marais, Daryn Dupavillon, Eathan Bosch, Shane Dadswell

Also Read: Salary of Cricketers (Men’s) from Each of the 12 Nations (2022)—The Complete Guide

SA T20 Auction – Prices & List of Players Sold (As It Happened)

The auction was held in several rounds.

SA20 Auction Round 1 – Marquee Capped Players

In Round 1, capped South African players were sold.

PlayerInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Lungi NgidiSouth AfricaPaarl RoyalsR. 3,400,000$192,000
Tabraiz ShamsiSouth AfricaPaarl RoyalsR. 4,300,000$243,000
Dwaine PretoriusSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 4,100,000$231,000
Rassie van der Dussen South AfricaMI Cape TownR. 3,900,000$220,000
Heinrich KlassenSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 4,500,000$254,000
Marco Jansen South AfricaSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 6,100,000$344,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 1

  • Base price – 1,700,000 Rands ($96,000): Odean Smith, Jimmy Neesham

SA20 Auction Round 2 – Batters

PlayerInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Harry Brook EnglandJoburg Super KingsR. 2,100,000$118,000
Rilee RossouwSouth AfricaPretoria CapitalsR. 6,900,000$389,000
Janneman MalanSouth AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 2,700,000$152,000
Tristan StubbSouth AfricaSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 9,200,000$519,000
Jason RoyEnglandPaarl RoyalsR. 1,500,000$84,600
Reeza HendricksSouth AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 4,500,000$254,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 2

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Eoin Morgan, Brandon King, Temba Bavuma, Pathum Nissanka

SA Auction Round 3 – Wicketkeepers

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Kyle VerreynneSouth AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 175,000$10,000
Dane VilasSouth AfricaPaarl RoyalsR. 3,300,000$186,000
Ryan RickletonSouth AfricaMI Cape TownR. 1,000,000$56,000
Phil SaltEnglandPretoria CapitalsR. 2,000,000$113,000

*Note: Peter Handscomb withdrew before the auction

List of Unsold Players in Round 3

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Dinesh Chandimal
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Shai Hope, Kusal Mendis
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): David Bedingham

SA20 Auction Round 4 – All Rounders

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Keemo PaulWest IndiesDurban Super GiantsR. 850,000$48,000
Wayne ParnellSouth AfricaPretoria CapitalsR. 5,600,000$316,000
George GartonEnglandJoburg Super KingsR. 425,000$24,000
Sisanda MalagaSouth AfricaSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 5,400,000$305,000
Keshav MaharajSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 2,500,000$141,000
George LindeSouth AfricaMI Cape TownR. 3,900,000$220,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 4

  • (Base price: 850,000 Rands – $48,000): Chamika Karunaratne, Andile Phehlukwayo
  • (Base price: 425,000 Rands – $24,000): Sean Williams, Brydon Carse

SA20 Auction Round 5 – The Fast Bowlers

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Alzarri JosephWest IndiesJoburg Super KingsR. 2,100,000$119,000
Josh LittleIrelandPretoria CapitalsR. 1,500,000$85,000
Kyle AbbottSouth AfricaDurban Super KingsR. 175,000$10,000
Kyle AbbottSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 175,000$10,000
Beuran HendricksSouth AfricaMI Cape TownR. 275,000$16,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 5

  • Base price – 1,700,000 Rands ($96,000): Jayden Seales
  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Tymal Mills, Ollie Robinson, Matheesha Pathirana
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Oshane Thomas
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Hardus Viljoen, Lutho Sipamla

SA20 Auction Round 6 – The Spinners

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Junaid Dawood*Uncapped South AfricanSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 375,000$21,000
Shaun von Berg*Uncapped South AfricanPretoria CapitalsR. 325,000$18,000
Mason CraneEnglandSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 425,000$24,000
Adil RashidEnglandPretoria CapitalsR. 2,400,000$136,000
Bjorn FortuinSouth AfricaPaarl RoyalsR. 1,500,000$85,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 6

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Hayden Walsh Jr., Avishka Fernando
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Matt Parkinson
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Simon Harmer, Aaron Phangiso

SA20 Auction Round 7 – More Batters

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Cameron Delport*Uncapped South AfricanPretoria CapitalsR. 800,000$45,000
Leus du Plooy*Uncapped South AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 1,500,000$85,000
Will JacksEnglandPretoria CapitalsR. 1,100,000$62,000
Theunis de BruynSouth AfricaPretoria CapitalsR. 1,000,000$57,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 7

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Lendl Simmons
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Ibrahim Zadran, Harry Tector
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Sarel Erwee, Dean Elgar, Keegan Petersen

SA20 Auction Round 8 – More All Rounders

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Lewis GregoryEnglandJoburg Super KingsR. 850,000$48,000
Duan Jansen*Uncapped South AfricanMI Cape TownR. 3,300,000$187,000
JJ SmutsSouth AfricaSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 2,300,000$130,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 8

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Carlos Brathwaite, Karim Janat, Craig Overton
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Roston Chase,
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Colin Ackermann, Wiaan Mulder

SA20 Auction Round 9 – More Bowlers

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Junior DalaSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 175,000$10,000
Lizaad WilliamsSouth AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 325,000$18,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 9

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Akila Dananjaya, Olly Stone, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Tom Helm
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Chris Wood, Duanne Olivier, Daryn Dupavillon

SA20 Auction Round 10 – The Nexxt

This was an express round for uncapped players.

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Jordan Cox*Uncapped English playerSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 325,000$18,000
Dilshan MadushankaSri LankaDurban Super GiantsR. 275,000$15,235

List of Unsold Players in Round 9

  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Andile Simelane, Tiaan van Vuuren, Jonathan Bird, Caleb Seleka, Matthew Boast, Bryce Parsons, Dunith Wellalage

SA20 Auction Round 11 – The eXXpress Auction

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Johnson CharlesWest IndiesDurban Super GiantsR. 425,000$24,000
Adam Rossington*Uncapped English Sunrisers Eastern CapeR. 425,000$24,000
Nandre Burger*Uncapped South African Joburg Super KingsR. 175,000$10,000
Donavon Ferreira*Uncapped South AfricanJoburg Super KingsR. 5,500,000$311,000
Matthew Breetzke*Uncapped South AfricanDurban Super GiantsR. 175,000$24,000
Mitchell van Buuren*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 175,000$10,000
Wihan LubbeSouth AfricaPaarl RoyalsR. 350,000$20,000
Marco Marais*Uncapped South AfricanPretoria CapitalsR. 175,000$10,000
Delano Potgieter*Uncapped South AfricanMI Cape TownR. 175,000$10,000
Roelof van der MerweSouth Africa/NetherlandsSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 175,000$10,000
Marques Ackerman*Uncapped South AfricanSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 175,000$10,000
Ferisco Adams*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 325,000$18,000
Imraan Manack*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 175,000$10,000
Christiaan JonkerSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 175,000$10,000
Evan Jones*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 1,700,000$96,000
Malusi Siboto*Uncapped South AfricanJoburg Super KingsR. 175,000$10,000
Ramon Simmonds*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 175,000$10,000
James Fuller*Uncapped South African/New ZealandSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 425,000$24,000

List of Unsold Players in Round 10

  • Base price – 850,000 Rands ($48,000): Adam Lyth
  • Base price: – 425,000 Rands ($24,000): Jeffrey Vandersay, Jake Lintott, Paul Walter, Tom Moores, Sam Cook, George Scrimshaw
  • Base price -175,000 Rands ($10,000): Grant Roelofsen, Glenton Stuurman, Mbulelo Budaza, Ziyaad Abrahams, Aya Gqamane, Steve Eskinaz, Diego Rosier, Khaya Zondo, Johan van Dyk, Pieter Malan, Dayyan Galiem, Henry Brookes, Farhaan Behardien, Pite van Biljon, Unmukt Chand, Bayers Swanepoel

SA20 Auction – Round 12 – The eXXpress Auction

PlayersInternational TeamFranchisePrice Sold (South African Rands)US Dollar Conversion
Odean SmithWest IndiesMI Cape TownR. 1,700,000$96,000
Jimmy NeeshamNew ZealandPretoria CapitalsR. 3,600,000$203,000
Eoin MorganEnglandPaarl RoyalsR. 2,000,000$113,000
Kusal MendisSri LankaPretoria CapitalsR. 425,000$24,000
Brydon CarseEnglandSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 425,000$24,000
Sarel ErweeSouth AfricaSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 175,000$10,000
Simon HarmerSouth AfricaJoburg Super KingsR. 200,000$11,000
Wiaan MulderSouth AfricaDurban Super GiantsR. 1,900,000$107,000
Caleb Seleka*Uncapped South AfricanJoburg Super GiantsR. 175,000$10,000
Daryn DupavillonSouth AfricaPretoria CapitalsR. 1,700,000$96,000
Ziyaad Abrahams*Uncapped South AfricanMI Cape TownR. 175,000$10,000
Wesley Marshall*Uncapped South AfricanMI Cape TownR. 175,000$10,000
Aya Gqamane*Uncapped South AfricanSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 175,000$10,000
Codi Yusuf*Uncapped South AfricanPaarl RoyalsR. 175,000$10,000
Olly StoneEnglandMI Cape TownR. 850,000$48,000
Grant Roelofsen*Uncapped South AfricanMI Cape TownR. 175,000$10,000
Shane Dadswell*Uncapped South AfricanPretoria CapitalsR. 175,000$10,000
Eathan Bosch*Uncapped South AfricanPretoria CapitalsR. 175,000$10,000
Tom Abell*Uncapped EnglishSunrisers Eastern CapeR. 850,000$48,000

Final List of Unsold Players in Round 12

  • Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Andile Phehlukwayo, Roston Chase, Craig Overton, Siyabonga Mahima, Thimas Kaber, Paul Walter, Sam Cook, Diego Rosier, Farhaan Behardein, Pieter Malan, Rahkeem Cornwall, Hardus Viljoen

Also Read:

Frequently Asked Questions – Get to Know the Players

Who is Junaid Dawood?

Junaid Dawood is a 25-year-old leg break bowler who plays domestic cricket in South Africa.

Who is Shaun von Berg?

Shaun von Berg is a South African bowling allrounder from South Africa.He is a 36-year-old cricketer who has played 124 first class matches and has taken 447 wickets. He was recently purchase by the Pretorius Capitals in the SA20 auction.

Does Ross Taylor still play cricket?

Even though Ross Taylor retired earlier in 2022, he still plays exhibition cricket. He played for the Road Safety series and was in the SA20 auction. He was unsold with base price at 850,000 Rands ($48,000).

Who is Nandre Burger?

Nandre Burger is a 27-year-old South African cricketer. He is a left-handed medium-fast bowling all-rounder.

Who is Donavon Ferreira?

Donavon Ferreira is a 24-year-old South African cricketer. He is a wicketkeeper from Pretoria. He was sold for 5,500,000 South African Rands ($311,000) in the SA20 Auction to Joburg Super Kings.

Who is Matthew Breetze?

Matthew Breetze is a 23-year-old South African cricketer who is a wicket-keeper from the Eastern Province.

Which team purchased Mitchell van Buren in the SA20 Auction?

Mitchell van Buuren, a 24-year-old legspinner from South African was purchased by the Paarl Royals.

Who is Wihan Lubbe?

Wihan Lubbe is a South African cricketer who has played 2 T20Is.

Was Unmukt Chand picked up the 2022 SA20 Auction?

No, Unmukt Chand, an U-19 World Cup winning captain from India who now plays for Team USA, was not picked up for SA20 Auction. His base price was 175,000 South Africa Rands.

Who are the captains in SA20 cricket league in South Africa?

Rashid Khan (MI Cape Town), Quinton de Kock (Durban Super Giants), Aiden Markram (Sunrisers Eastern Cape), Faf du Plessis (Joburg Super Kings), David Miller (Paarl Royals), and Wayne Parnell (Pretoria Capitals) are the six captains of the SA 20 franchise league.

How many foreign players can play in the XI in SA20?

Four foreign players can play in the XI at the same time in SA 20.

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, 2021. Originally published on 09/20/2022. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).