South Africa cricket team: A history of dominance and heartbreak

South Africa began their first-class and international journey together when they faced England at home in the 1888-89 season. In fact, they became the third test-playing nation when they took on England at Port Elizabeth, led by Owen Robert Dunell. Their early Test record was miserable as they registered ten defeats and a draw from their first eleven tests.

They recorded their first Test win against England in 1906 and gradually began competing with Australia and England, gaining knowledge and experience. Over the next few decades, they became one of the strongest sides in international cricket.

By the 1960s, though, there was considerable worldwide opposition to South Africa’s apartheid policy. The International Cricket Council thus imposed a complete international ban on the team, in sync with action taken by other global sporting bodies. As a result, some of the finest South African players, like Graeme Pollock and Mike Procter, failed to showcase their talent to the cricketing world in full glory.

The Proteas isolation ended in 1991. Just a year later, they, rather incredibly, made the semi-final of the 1992 World Cup in Australia. It was almost as if South Africa had never gone away from international cricket. They remain one of the strongest sides in international cricket, although they have gained the choker tag for their inability to win ICC tournaments.

Statistically, they are one of the most successful one-day teams, with a win percentage of over 60. However, the 1998 Champions Trophy is their only ICC triumph to date. Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, Allan Donald, and Gary Kirsten are some of the finest players who represented the country in international cricket.

• Highest innings total batting second in ODIs – 438/9 vs Australia in Johannesburg, March 12, 2006
• Most hundreds in an inning in ODIs (3) – vs West Indies in Johannesburg, January 18, 2015
• Most hundred partnerships in an innings ODIs (3) – vs Netherlands in Basseterre, March 16, 2007
• Most runs off a single over in ODIs (36) – Herschelle Gibbs vs Daan van Bunge, Netherlands in St. Kitts, March 16, 2007 
• Fastest ODI hundred (31 balls) – AB de Villiers vs West Indies, in Johannesburg, January 18, 2015
• Fastest ODI fifty (16 balls) – AB de Villiers vs West Indies, in Johannesburg, January 18, 2015
• Best figures in an innings on ODI debut (6/16) – vs Bangladesh, in Mirpur, July 10, 2015

• Super sport Park, Centurion
• Newlands, Capetown.
• St George’s Park, Port Elizabeth
• Wanderers, Johannesburg
• Kingsmead Cricket Ground, Durban

Below is a list of major tournaments won by the South African cricket team across formats:

KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU)

Address – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Kingsmead Way, Durban, 4001
Contact Number – +27 (0)31 335 4200
Email Address – [email protected], [email protected]
Website – https://dolphinscricket.co.za/

Knights Cricket (Free State)

Address – 47 Park Rd, Willows, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa
Contact Number – +27 51 447 5715
Email – [email protected]
Website – https://KnightsCricket.co.za/

Titans (Gauteng province)

Address – SuperSport Park, 283 Cnr West Avenue, and South Street, Centurion 0157
Contact Number – 012 663 1005
Email – [email protected]
Website – https://www.titans.co.za/

Western Province Cricket Association

Address – 146 Campground Rd, Newlands, Cape Town, 7700
Contact Number – 021 657 2000
Email – [email protected]
Website – https://newlandscricket.com/

Border Cricket

Address – Buffalo Park Dr, Arcadia, East London, 5201, South Africa
Contact Number– +27 43 743 7757
Email – [email protected]
Website – https://bordercricket.co.za/

South Western Districts Cricket Board

Address – SWD Cricket Board Office Complex, Recreation Ground, Voortrekker Road, Oudtshoorn, Southern Cape, South Africa, 6625
Contact Number – +27 (0)44 272 6604
Email – [email protected]
Website – https://www.swdcricket.co.za/

Who is the best cricket player in South Africa?

AB de Villiers is regarded by many as the finest cricket player from South Africa owing to his incredible 360-degree hitting. Jacques Kallis, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Dale Steyn, Graeme Smith, and Hashim Amla are some of the other legendary names to have represented the Proteas cricket team.

Is the South Africa cricket team strong?

Yes. South Africa is also one of the most successful teams in ODI cricket, winning more than 60 percent of their matches.

Why is SA called Proteas?

The Protea flower, which has pink and yellow petals, is the national flower of South Africa. Hence their cricket team is called the Proteas. Similarly, South Africa’s rugby team is called Springboks, the country’s national animal.

Why did South Africa leave cricket?

The ICC suspended South Africa in 1970 following a resolution against the country’s government’s apartheid policy. The country returned to international cricket after a 21-year gap in November 1991.

Has India won a Test series in South Africa?

The Indian cricket team has never won a Test series in South Africa.

Which team is strong in T20Is – India or South Africa?

India has a success percentage of over 56% against South Africa in T20Is.

Who are the best fast bowlers of SA in the current team?

Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje

Who are the new coaches of South Africa?

Shukri Conrad will take charge of the Test team for the next four years. Rob Walter will coach the Men’s ODI and T20 teams.

Has South Africa even won the World Cup?

No. South Africa have never won the World Cup.

Have the Proteas ever reached the final of the World Cup?

No. They have never reached the final of any World Cup.