South Africa National Cricket Team (Men's)
Full Name | South Africa National Cricket Team |
Nick Name | Proteas |
Founded: | 1889 |
Managed by: | Cricket South Africa |
Selector: | Graeme Smith |
Head Coach: | Mark Boucher |
Captains: | Quinton de Kock |
TEAM RANKING
TEST
6
ODI
4
T20I
5
CURRENT SOUTH AFRICA CRICKET TEAM
CURRENT SUPPORTING STAFF
Here’s the list of the coaching staff of the South Africa National Cricket Team:
Head Coach: | Mark Boucher |
Assistant Coach: | Enoch Nkwe |
Batting Coach: | Jacques Kallis |
Spin Bowling Coach: | Paul Harris |
Fast Bowling Coach: | Charl Langeveldt |
Fielding Coach: | Justin Ontong |
South Africa National Cricket Team
Popularly known as the Proteas, South Africa National Cricket Team represents South Africa in world cricket. It is a full member of ICC which participates in all three formats of the game. The Cricket South Africa governs the cricketing activities of the team.
In 1888-89, they hosted their first ever international cricket series against England. In the same period, South Africa commenced their first domestic season as well. The team played regularly through to the 1960s against the likes of Australia, England and New Zealand. However, considerable opposition to the country’s apartheid policy meant South Africa was banned by ICC.
The ban remained until 1991. After the ban was lifted, South Africa played against the likes of India, Sri Lanka, and West Indies for the first time. Over the years, South Africa have been a formidable unit. They have secured the number one position in the ICC rankings on a number of times. However, South Africa National Cricket Team are yet to win single ICC trophy in their cricketing history.
South Africa, over the years, have produced some world class players. They are also known as Chockers in world cricket owing to their habit of chocking in the crucial games of ICC tournaments.
South Africa Cricket Team Records and Statistics
#In Test Cricket:
– South Africa has made 439 appearances in Test Cricket so far in its Test Cricket history. Of these, they have managed to secure wins in 165 games and lost on 150 occasions. They boast of win percentage of 37.58 in Tests.
– South Africa posted their highest ever total in Test Cricket against England on 31 July 2003. They notched a huge 682-run total against England at the Lord’s Cricket Ground.
– South Africa’s highest fourth innings total is 450/7 in an unsuccessful run chase against India at Johannesburg in December 2013. India had set a target of 457.
– South African recorded the fewest runs in an innings in a Test match in 1896. The Proteas were bundled out for just 30 runs against England at St. George Park on 13th February 1896.
– South Africa’s greatest win by an innings in Tests came against Bangladesh in 2017. They beat Bangladesh by an innings and 254 runs at Manguang Oval, South Africa on 13th February 1896.
– South Africa’s narrowest loss (by runs) in Tests came against England. They lost the game by 23 runs on 6th August 1998.
– Jacques Kallis holds the record for scoring the most number of runs in Test matches. He has scored 13, 206 runs in 165 Tests for South Africa.
– Graeme Smith holds the record for scoring the fastest 1000 runs in Tests for South Africa. The southpaw reached the landmark in just 17 innings.
– Graeme Smith holds the record for scoring the most number of runs as an opener for South Africa in Tests. He has scored 9030 runs in 196 Tests at an average of 49.08.
– Hashim Amla has the highest individual score in Tests for South Africa. He played a sensational knock of 311 runs against England at The Oval in 2012.
– Graeme Pollock has the best batting average for South Africa in Tests. He averages 60.97 in Tests and has scored 2256 runs in 41 innings.
– Jacques Kallis has scored the most number of half-centuries for South Africa in Tests. In 278 innings, Kallis has 58 half-centuries to his name in the longest format of the game.
– Jacques Kallis has also scored the most number of centuries for South Africa in Tests. He has notched 45 centuries in his Test career.
– Graeme Smith has scored the most double-centuries for South Africa in Tests. In 203 innings, he has notched 5 double-centuries in his Test Cricket career.
– Jacques Kallis has the most number of sixes and fours for South Africa in Tests. He has notched 96 sixes and 1477 fours in his Test cricket career.
– Morne Morkel holds the record for scoring the most ducks by any South African player in Tests. He has 22 ducks to his name in 86 Test matches.
– Dale Steyn has the most number of wickets for South Africa in Tests. He has taken 439 wickets in 93 Test matches.
– Dale Steyn has the most five-wicket hauls to his name in Test cricket. He has taken 26 5-wicket hauls in Test Cricket.
– Dale Steyn also holds the record for taking the most ten-wicket hauls in a match by any South African bowler in Test Cricket. He has 5 ten-wicket hauls to his name in Test Cricket.
– Jacques Kallis has the most number of catches for South Africa in Tests. He has taken 196 catches in his Test cricket career.
– Graeme Smith has been South Africa’s longest-standing captain in Test Cricket. He has led the side in 108 matches for South Africa in Tests.
#In ODI Cricket:
– South Africa has played 625 one-day internationals, winning 385 games and losing 216 matches.
– South Africa posted their highest ever total in one-day internationals against West Indies in 2014. They notched a massive 439-run total against West Indies.
– South Africa’s lowest ODI total came against Australia in 1993. The Proteas were bundled out for just at Sydney Cricket Ground in 1993.
– South Africa conceded the most runs in a Test match innings against Australia in 2006. Australia notched a mammoth 434-run at Johannersburg. South Africa took everyone by surprise as they chased that total down in the second innings.
– South Africa greatest win in ODI by runs came against Zimbabwe in 2010. They beat Zimbabwe by 272 runs.
– Jacques Kallis holds the record for scoring the most number of runs by any South African player in ODI Cricket. He scored11, 550 runs in 323 matches.
– Hashim Amla has scored the most runs by any South African opener in ODIs. He has 8083 runs to his name as an opener at an average of 49.89.
– Gary Kirsten holds the record for scoring the highest individual score by any South African batsman in ODIs. He played a sensational knock of 188 runs against UAE in 1996.
– AB de Villiers has the highest career batting average in ODIs by any South African batsman. Averaging 54.17, AB de Villiers scored 9427 runs in 213 innings.
– Jacques Kallis has the most half-centuries by any South Africa player in ODIs. He scored 86 half-centuries in 309 innings.
– Hashim Amla has most number of centuries to his name for South Africa in ODIs. He notched as many as 27 centuries in his international career.
– AB de Villiers has most number of sixes for South Africa in ODIs. He has hit 200 sixes in his one-day international career.
– Herschelle Gibbs has scored most number for fours for South Africa in ODI. He has 930 fours to his name in one-day internationals.
– Gary Kirsten holds the record for scoring the most number of runs in a calendar year. He notched 1467 in 36 innings in the year 2000.
– Jacques Kallis has scored the most number of runs in a series for South Africa in one-day internationals. He scored 484 in 9 innings in the 2007 World Cup.
– Herschelle Gibbs has the most number of ducks to his name in one-day internationals. He has 22 ducks to his name in one-day internationals.
– Shaun Pollock has taken the most number of wickets for South Africa in ODIs. He has 387 wickets to his name in 294 matches.
– Lance Klusener has the most number of five-wicket hauls for South Africa in one-day internationals. He took 6 five-wicket hauls to his name in one-day internationals.
– Shaun Pollock holds the record for picking most wickets by any South African bowler in a calendar year. He took 61 wickets in the year 2000 in 38 matches.
– Mark-Boucher holds the record for claiming the most dismissals as wicket-keeper in ODIs. He affected 415 dismissals as a wicket-keeper for South Africa in ODIs.
– Mark Boucher has also affected most stumpings by a South African wicket-keeper. In 290 matches, he affected 21 stumpings in ODIs.
List of Test Team Captains
In 1889, South Africa became the third nation after Australia and England to become a member of ICC. They played their first Test match against England in 1889 at Port Elizabeth. Over the years, numerous players have led South Africa in different formats. However, there have been only a few cricketers who stood out as captains. Graeme Smith is unarguably their greatest leader of all time. Hansi Cronje too is hailed as a legendary captain of South Africa who turned the fortunes of the team in the 90s.
As many as 36 players have led South Africa in the history of South African Test cricket. Graeme Smith led South Africa for the most number of games as far as Test Cricket is concerned. Smith led South Africa in 108 Tests, winning 53 and games and losing 28. Hansci Cronje too had a terrific record as a captain in Tests. In 53 matches, he led South Africa to 27 wins. Owen Dunnell led South Africa for their first-ever match against England in Port Elizabeth.
Here’s the complete list of captains who have led South Africa in Test Cricket:
- Hashim Amla
- Biddy Anderson
- Ali Bacher
- Murray Bisset
- Mark Boucher
- Jock Cameron
- Jack Cheetham
- Hansie Cronje
- AB de Villiers
- Nummy Deane
- Owen Dunell
- Trevor Goddard
- Ernest Halliwell
- Jacques Kallis
- Gary Kirsten
- Jackie McGlew
- Alan Melville
- William Henry Milton
- Frank Mitchell
- Dudley Nourse
- Buster Nupen
- Shaun Pollock
- Ashwell Prince
- Alfred Richards
- Percy Sherwell
- Graeme Smith
- Tip Snooke
- Henry Taberer
- Louis Tancred
- Herbie Taylor
- Peter van der Merwe
- Clive van Ryneveld
- Herby Wade
- Kepler Wessels
- Dean Elgar
- Faf du Plessis
List of ODI Team Captains
As far as One-Day Cricket is concerned, 15 players have led South Africa in its one-day history. Clive Rice led South Africa in its very first Test match in 1991. Graeme Smith has captained the team for the most number of ODIs. In 149 games, Smith led South Africa to 92 wins. Former captain, Hansie Cronje has led South Africa in 138 ODIs, winning 99 games and losing 35.
Complete list of South Africa’s ODI captains:
- Clive Rice
- Kepler Wessels
- Hansie Cronje
- Shaun Pollock
- Graeme Smith
- Mark Boucher
- Nicky Boje
- Jacques Kallis
- Johan Botha
- Hashim Amla
- AB de Villiers
- Faf du Plessis
- Aiden Markram
- Quinton de Kock
- JP Duminy
List of T20I Team Captains
South Africa played its first-ever T20 internationals under the leadership of Graeme Smith. He led South Africa in 27 T20 internationals and boasts of a win percentage of 66.66. Faf du Plessis has led South Africa for the most number of T20 internationals. Under the leadership, South Africa emerged victorious in 23 games out of 37.
Complete list of South Africa’s T20 captains:
- Graeme Smith
- Shaun Pollock
- Johan Botha
- Hashim Amla
- AB de Villiers
- Faf du Plessis
- JP Duminy
- Justin Ontong
- Farhaan Behardien
- David Miller
- Quinton de Kock
Most Successful Captains
#1 Graeme Smith: Unarguably, South Africa’s greatest captain of all time, Graeme Smith is the only captain in the cricket world to have led aside in more than 100 Tests. He has phenomenal numbers as captain across the formats. He was given the captaincy duties at a very young age of 22. Smith grabbed the opportunity with both hands and went a long way in adding steel to South African cricket. He led South Africa in 109 Tests and 150 ODIs, winning 53 and 92 games respectively. He has also led the side in 27 T20s, winning 18 matches and losing 9.
#2 Hansie Cronje: Hansie Cronje is South Africa’s second most successful captain in their cricketing history. He was a renowned captained who led South Africa in 19 series between 1994 and 2000. South Africa during that period lost only 4 series out of them and earned a reputation of being a formidable unit. Overall, he led South Africa in 53 Tests and 138 ODIs, winning 27 and 99 matches respectively.
#3 Shaun Pollock: The all-rounder led from the front with key contributions with both bat and ball. Even though he did not exude the aura of a natural leader, Pollock’s captaincy was built on an unwavering commitment to the team’s cause. He led the Proteas to 8 Test series victories and 12 ODI series/tournaments successes. However, his captaincy stint met a traumatic end after a fatal miscalculation of the Duckworth-Lewis target led to South Africa’s ignominious group-stage exit in the 2003 World Cup on home soil.
#4 Faf du Plessis: Faf du Plessis is hailed as one of the most successful skipper in the history of South African cricket. With astute strategic skills and commendable man-management ability, he made South Africa a force to be reckoned with. overall, he led in 36 Tests, 39 ODIs, and 40 T20Is, of which South Africa won 18, 28, and 25 respectively.
#5 Kepler Wessels: Kepler Wessels led South After after their readmission in cricket in 1991. He is known for superbly handling the bowlers of the team and making the side a strong unit in world cricket. Wessels led South Africa in their first ever World Cup. Overall, he led the side in 16 Tests and 52 ODIs.