2023 Cricket World Cup South Africa Squad Breakdown (The Definitive Guide): Which 15 players will make the final XI?
Time for the 2023 Cricket World Cup South Africa Squad edition.
South Africa have released their squads for the series against Australia. Although this is not the official World Cup squad, it gives us a glimpse into their preliminary squad (especially since World Cup is only two months away now).
Let’s jump right in.
Key Takeaways from South Africa’s ODI Squad Announcement
- The average age of South Africa’s 2023 Cricket World Cup squad is 29.9. South Africa is going with a healthy mix of youth and experience. They have youngsters Coetzee (23) & Jansen (23) as well as experience international players like Miller, Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Markram, Parnell, and Shamsi.
- The 15-member South Africa’s preliminary World Cup squad has average ODI match experience of 55 ODIs (823 among 15 players). David Miller (160), Quinton de Kock (145) & Kagiso Rabada (92) are their most experienced players, while the likes of Dewald Brevis have yet to debut in international cricket.
- South Africa’s squad composition is as follows: 7 proper batters (with one part-time bowling option), 2 all-rounders, and 6 proper bowling options. In total, South Africa has 9 bowling options (1 off spin, 1 left arm pace, 2 left arm spin, and 5 right arm pace) in their squad if absolutely needed.
- South Africa have 2 left-handed batting options (QDK, Miller) and two wicketkeeping options.
South Africa Cricket World Cup Team at a Glance
| Player | Role | Age |
| Quinton de Kock | Batter/Wicketkeeper | 30 |
| Reeza Hendricks | Batter | 34 |
| Temba Bavuma (C) | Batter | 33 |
| Aiden Markram | Batter/part-time off-spin | 29 |
| Dewald Brevis** | Batter | 20 |
| Rassie van der Dussen | Batter | 34 |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Batter/Wicketkeeper | 32 |
| David Miller | Batter | 34 |
| Tristan Stubbs** | Batter | 23 |
| Marco Jansen | All-Rounder/Medium Pace | 23 |
| Kagiso Rabada | Fast Bowler | 28 |
| Wayne Parnell* | All-Rounder/Fast | 34 |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Left Arm Spin | 33 |
| Anrich Nortje* | Fast Bowler | 29 |
| Lungi Ngidi | Fast Bowler | 27 |
| Gerald Coetzee | Fast Bowler | 23 |
| Sisanda Magala* | Medium Pace | 32 |
| Bjorn Fortuin** | Left Arm Spin | 28 |
| Andile Phehlukwayo | Right Arm Pace | 27 |
| Keshav Maharaj | Left Arm Spin | 33 |
| Lizaad Williams | Right Arm Pace | 29 |
*withdrawn from the World Cup due to injury
**not picked in the Final World Cup Squad
Also Read:
- Quota System in South African Cricket and Transformation Policy – The Complete Guide: Official Policy, Myths, Stats, and the 2015 World Cup Controversy
- Faf du Plessis & AB De Villiers’ Friendship: Broken Dreams of Faf and ABD
- 17 South Africa World Cup Chokes and Heartbreaks: The Complete List (Men’s & Women’s Combined)
- 48 South African Born Cricketers Who Play for Other Countries: Can You Guess Them All?
- 49 South African Cricketers Who Left Their Country for Kolpak Deals
- 85 Cricketers Who Left Their Countries and Moved to Play Cricket in the USA: List of American Cricketers Who Were Born in Other Nations
South Africa Cricket World Cup 2023 Potential XI
- Quinton de Kock (WK
- Temba Bavuma (C)
- Aiden Markram
- Rassie van der Dussen
- David Miller
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Marco Jansen
- Andile Phehlukwayo
- Lungi Ngidi/Keshav Maharaj/Gerald Coetzee
- Kagiso Rabada
- Tabraiz Shamsi
Injury News
- Keshav Maharaj suffered from Achilles injury earlier this year but is fit for the World Cup. Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, and Sisanda Magala have all been ruled out due to injuries.
10 South African Players Who Were Unlucky to Miss Out
- Anrich Nortje, Sisanda Magala, Wayne Parnell, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Bjorn Fortuin, Janneman Malan, Donovan Ferreira, Faf du Plessis, George Linde
3 Surprise Picks for South Africa’s World Cup Squad
- Lizaad Williams, Gerald Coetzee, Andile Phehlukwayo
South Africa Cricket World Cup 2023 Squad – Complete List of Players
1. Quinton de Kock (WK)
Role: Left-handed bater (opener)
- Matches/Innings: 145/145
- Runs: 5966, Best: 141*
- Average/SR: 44.85/96.08
- 100/50: 17/29
- Catches/Stumpings: 183/14
Recent ODI Form: 37, 31, 48, 9, 8
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 30
Embed from Getty Images2. Reeza Hendricks
Role: Right-handed batter (opener)
- Matches/Innings: 29/29
- Runs: 694, Best: 102
- Average/SR: 27.76/77.62
- 100/50: 1/5
Recent ODI Form: 1, 6, 74, 3, 52
Last ODI: February 1, 2023
Age: 34
Embed from Getty Images3. Temba Bavuma (C)
Role: Right-handed bater
- Matches/Innings: 30/29
- Runs: 1150, Best: 144
- Average/SR: 52.27/91.63
- 100/50: 4/3
Recent ODI Form: 109, 35, 144, 90*, 6
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 33
Embed from Getty Images4. Aiden Markram
Role: Right-handed batter/Right arm off spin
- Matches/Innings: 55/52
- Runs: 1440, Best: 175
- Average/SR: 33.48/93.87
- 100/50: 1/6
- Wickets: 16, Best: 2/18
- Economy: 5.58
Recent ODI Form: 49, 39, 25, 51*, 175
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 29
Embed from Getty Images5. Rassie van der Dussen
Role: Right-hand bat
- Matches/Innings: 49/43
- Runs: 1757, Best: 134
- Average/SR: 60.58/89.68
- 100/50: 4/11
Recent ODI Form: 5, 8, 14, 31, 25
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 34
Embed from Getty Images6. Heinrich Klaasen
Role: Right-hand bat/Wicketkeeper
- Matches/Innings: 41/38
- Runs: 1080, Best: 174
- Average/SR: 41.34/111.64
- 100/50: 3/5
Recent ODI Form: 27, 80, 119*, DNB, 28
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 32
Embed from Getty Images7. David Miller
Role: Left-Hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 160/137
- Runs: 3888, Best: 139
- Average/SR: 42.26/102.93
- 100/50: 5/21
Recent ODI Form: 58*, 13, 17, DNB, 91
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 34
Embed from Getty Images8. Marco Jansen
Role: Left Arm Fast, Right-Hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 14/14
- Wickets: 18, Best: 5/39
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/1
- Economy: 6.23
- Runs: 306, Best: 59
Recent ODI Form: 2/43, 1/77, 2/46, 1/27, 1/39
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 23
Embed from Getty Images9. Andile Phehlukwayo
Role: Left Arm Fast, Right-Hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 76/71
- Wickets: 89, Best: 4/22
- 4-fer/5-fer: 3/0
- Economy: 5.77
- Runs: 781, Best: 69*
Recent ODI Form: 1, 38* & 1/50, 1/44
Last ODI: September 17, 2023
Age: 27
Embed from Getty Images10. Kagiso Rabada
Role: Right Arm Fast/Left-Hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 92/90
- Wickets: 137, Best: 6/16
- 4-fer/5-fer: 6/2
- Economy: 5.01
Recent ODI Form: 0/37, 2/36, 1/59, 2/46, 0/33
Last ODI: March 31, 2023
Age: 28
Embed from Getty Images11. Tabraiz Shamsi
Role: Left Arm Wrist Spin
- Matches/Innings: 46/43
- Wickets: 57, Best: 5/49
- 4-fer/5-fer: 1/1
- Economy: 5.51
Recent ODI Form: April 2, 2023
Last ODI: 1/55, 0/61, 2/62, 3/25, 1/38
Age: 33
Embed from Getty Images12. Lungi Ngidi
Role: Right Arm Fast
- Matches/Innings: 48/47
- Wickets: 73, Best: 6/58
- 4-fer/5-fer: 3/1
- Economy: 5.73
Recent ODI Form: 1/66, 4/62, 0/76, 1/45, 1/33
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 27
Embed from Getty Images13. Gerald Coetzee
Role: Right Arm Fast
- Matches/Innings: 6/6
- Wickets: 5, Best: 3/57
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/0
- Economy:5.50
Recent ODI Form: 3/57, 2/53
Last ODI: March 21, 2023
Age: 23
Embed from Getty Images14. Lizaad Williams
Role: Right Arm Fast
- Matches/Innings: 1/1
- Wickets: 1, Best: 1/62
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/0
- Economy: 7.75
Recent ODI Form: 1/62
Last ODI: July 16, 2023
Age: 30
Embed from Getty Images15. Keshav Maharaj
Role: Right Hand Bat/Left Arm Spin
- Matches/Innings: 31/30
- Wickets: 37, Best: 4/33
- 4-fer/5-fer: 1/0
- Economy: 4.69
Recent ODI Form: 1/38, 2/37, 1/27, 4/33
Last ODI: September 17, 2023
Age: 33
16. Sisanda Magala**
**ruled out of the World Cup
Role: Right Arm Fast
- Matches/Innings: 7/6
- Wickets: 14, Best: 5/43
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/1
- Economy: 6.32
Recent ODI Form: 1/69, 3/46, 1/76, 3/37, 5/43
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 32
Embed from Getty Images17. Anrich Nortje**
**ruled out of the World Cup
Role: Right Arm Fast
- Matches/Innings: 21/20
- Wickets: 36, Best: 4/51
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/0
- Economy: 5.68
Recent ODI Form: 0/15, 4/62, 2/64, 2/24
Last ODI: April 2, 2023
Age: 29
Embed from Getty Images18. Wayne Parnell**
**ruled out of the World Cup
Role: Left Arm Fast/Left-Hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 73/69
- Wickets: 99, Best: 5/48
- 4-fer/5-fer: 3/2
- Economy: 5.60
- Runs: 574, Best: 56
Recent ODI Form: 1/44, 0/42, 1/54, 0/53, 1/30
Last ODI: March 21, 2023
Age: 34
Embed from Getty Images19. Dewald Brevis*
*did not make it into the Final World Cup Squad
Role: Right-hand bat/Right arm part-time leg break
*has not debuted in international cricket yet
List A Record:
- Matches/Innings: 8/8
- Runs: 247, Best: 98*
- Average/SR: 35.98/95.00
- 100/50: 0/1
Age: 20
Embed from Getty Images20. Bjorn Fortuin*
*not picked in the World Cup
Role: Left Arm Orthodox/Right-Hand bat
- Matches/Innings: 5/4
- Wickets: 6, Best: 2/46
- 4-fer/5-fer: 0/0
- Economy: 5.64
Recent ODI Form: 1/52, 1/20, 2/57 2/46
Last ODI: March 21, 2023
Age: 28
Embed from Getty Images21. Tristan Stubbs*
*did not make it into the final World Cup squad
Role: Right-hand Bat
- Matches/Innings: 1/1
- Runs: 6
- Average/SR: 6/60 (List A Average/SR: 42.16/86.34)
- 100/50: 0/0
Recent ODI Form: 6
Last ODI: March 18, 2023
Age: 23
Embed from Getty ImagesFinal Thoughts
I have a good feeling about South Africa’s squad this time around, do you?
Klaasen, Markram, Rassie, & Nortje are in their form of their lives, Miller-Rabada-Quinton de Kock-Shamsi are some of the best cricketers going around, and the exciting youth talent of Brevis-Stubbs-Jansen-Coetzee is just the cherry on top.
Can they keep their cool and finallly lift the World Cup trophy?
Only time will tell. But in the mean time, I would love to know what your thoughts are on this. Comment Below with a ‘Yes’ if you think they can win the world or ‘No’ if you think they cannot.
Related ODI World Cup Articles
If you liked this article, be sure to check some of the other World Cup content:
- ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 Schedule (Complete Guide): What is the Schedule of Each Team for the 2023 ODI World Cup?
- Bangladesh Asia Cup 2023 Squad Breakdown: Which of the 19-men Squad will make the Bangladesh 2023 World Cup Squad?
- India Asia Cup 2023 Squad Breakdown: Which of these 18-men will make the India 2023 Cricket World Cup Squad?
- Pakistan Asia Cup 2023 Squad Breakdown: Which of these 18-men will make the Pakistan 2023 Cricket World Cup Squad?
- 2023 Cricket World Cup England Squad (The Definitive Guide): Can England Continue their ODI Legacy?
- 2023 Cricket World Cup Australia Squad Breakdown (The Definitive Guide): Which 15 players will make the final squad from the Preliminary Squad of 18?
- Who Has Scored the Most Runs in ODI Cricket World Cups (Men’s)?| List of Top 21 Most Runs in Cricket World Cup (Updated 2023)
- India vs Pakistan World Cup (The Ultimate Guide): Highest Run Scorer, Highest Wicket Taker, Records, and More!
Frequently Asked Questions
South Africa’s 2023 Cricket World Cup squad average age is 31.8 years. South Africa is going with a healthy mix of youth and experience. They have youngsters like Brevis (20), Coetzee (22), Stubbs (23), Jansen (23) as well as experience international players like Miller, Rabada, Quinton de Kock, Markram, Parnell, and Shamsi.
Quinton de Kock (WK), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma (C), Aiden Markram, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Bjorn Fortuin, Sisanda Magalaa, Gerald Coetzee, Wayne Parnell, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, and Lungi Ngidi are selected for South Africa’s preliminary ODI World Cup squad 2023.
© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC 2023. Originally published on 08/16/2023. 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).
