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South Africa national cricket team facts for kids

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South Africa
South Africa Cricket's coat of arms
Nickname(s) Proteas
Association Cricket South Africa
Personnel
Test captain Temba Bavuma
One Day captain Temba Bavuma
T20I captain Aiden Markram
Coach Shukri Conrad
History
Test status acquired 1889
International Cricket Council
ICC status Full member (1909)
ICC region Africa Cricket Association
ICC Rankings Current Best-ever
Test 2nd 1st (1 January 1969)
ODI 6th 1st (1 May 1996)
T20I 5th 1st (8 August 2012)
Tests
First Test v  England at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, 12–13 March 1889
Last Test v  Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo; 6–8 July 2025
Tests Played Won/Lost
Total 475 188/161
(126 draws)
This year 4 4/0 (0 draws)
World Test Championship appearances 3 (first in 2019–2021)
Best result Champions (2023–2025)
One Day Internationals
First ODI v  India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata; 10 November 1991
Last ODI v  New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 5 March 2025
ODIs Played Won/Lost
Total 686 415/244
(6 ties, 21 no results)
This year 5 2/3
(0 ties, 0 no results)
World Cup appearances 9 (first in 1992)
Best result Semi-finals (1992, 1999, 2007, 2015, 2023)
Twenty20 Internationals
First T20I v  New Zealand at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg; 21 October 2005
Last T20I v  Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club, Harare; 22 July 2025
T20Is Played Won/Lost
Total 200 110/86
(1 ties, 3 no results)
This year 4 2/2
(0 ties, 0 no results)
T20 World Cup appearances 9 (first in 2007)
Best result Runners-up (2024)
Official website https://cricket.co.za/

Test kit

Kit left arm rsa ct25.png
Kit right arm rsa ct25.png

ODI kit

T20I kit

As of 22 July 2025

The South Africa men's national cricket team, also known as the Proteas, plays for South Africa in international cricket. The team is managed by Cricket South Africa. South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). The team's nickname, Proteas, comes from South Africa's national flower, the Protea cynaroides, also called the "King Protea". South Africa is currently the World Test Champions.

South Africa started playing first-class cricket and international matches in 1888–89 when they hosted an England cricket team. At first, the team wasn't as strong as Australia or England. But with more experience, they became a strong team by the early 1900s. They played regularly against Australia, England, and New Zealand until the 1960s.

During this time, many people around the world were against South Africa's apartheid policy, which separated people by race. Because of this, the ICC stopped South Africa from playing international cricket in 1970. When the ban happened, South Africa's team was considered one of the best in the world.

The ban ended in 1991. After that, South Africa played against teams like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the West Indies for the first time. Since coming back, the team has been very strong. They have often been ranked number one in the world. South Africa is also very successful in ODI cricket, winning more than 60% of their games. They won their first major ICC trophy, the 1998 Champions Trophy, and a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games. South Africa won the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship by beating Australia in the final.

As of July 2025, the team is ranked 5th in ODIs, 2nd in Tests, and 5th in T20Is.

Team History

Early Days of Cricket in South Africa

European settlers arrived in southern Africa in 1652, starting the Cape Colony. Later, the British took control, and with them came the game of cricket. The first recorded cricket match in South Africa was in 1808 in Cape Town.

The oldest cricket club in South Africa is the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, started in 1843. By the late 1840s, cricket had spread beyond Cape Colony. In 1876, Port Elizabeth started the "Champion Bat" competition for South African towns.

In 1888, Sir Donald Currie sponsored the first English team to visit South Africa. This tour marked the beginning of both first-class cricket and Test cricket in South Africa. Currie also donated the Currie Cup, a trophy for a national championship.

First Test Matches

In 1889, South Africa became the third country to play Test cricket, playing against England. The first match was in Port Elizabeth, led by Owen Dunell. A second Test was played in Cape Town. These early matches were not officially called "Tests" until South Africa joined the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1906.

The early South African team was not very strong. They lost their first ten Tests and had only one draw in their first eleven matches. Their first Test win against England came in 1906, 17 years after their first match. A tough period was the English tour of 1895–96, where South Africa lost all three Tests badly.

Becoming a Strong Team

Jimmy Sinclair c1905
Jimmy Sinclair, known for his fast scoring in Test cricket.

In the early 1900s, South Africa developed a strong cricket team. Players like Jimmy Sinclair, Dave Nourse, Aubrey Faulkner, and Reggie Schwarz became well-known. The team became famous for its spin bowlers, especially those who bowled the "googly" – a special type of spin delivery. Reggie Schwarz was a pioneer of this bowling style.

Aubrey Faulkner c1920
Aubrey Faulkner, one of South Africa's first great all-rounders.
Reggie Schwarz c1905
Reggie Schwarz, a pioneer of the "googly" bowling style.

In 1906, England toured South Africa for a 5-match Test series. South Africa, led by their googly bowlers, surprisingly won the series 4–1. This series showed that South Africa was now a major force in international cricket. The MCC (Marylebone Cricket Club) then invited South Africa to tour England in 1907 for official Tests.

South Africa continued to do well, winning another series against England in 1909–10. In 1910–11, they toured Australia for the first time. Australia was considered the best team then. South Africa lost the series but achieved their first-ever overseas Test victory against Australia.

A triangular tournament was held in England in 1912, involving England, Australia, and South Africa. South Africa finished last, as some of their key players were getting older or had retired. However, this tournament saw the debut of Herbie Taylor, who became one of the best batsmen of his time.

Herbie Taylor 1924-04-29
Herbie Taylor, a key batsman for South Africa for 20 years.

In 1913–14, England visited South Africa. South Africa lost the series, but Herbie Taylor showed amazing batting skills, scoring many runs against a very strong English bowling attack.

Between the World Wars

After World War I, international cricket slowly returned. In the 1930s, a new group of talented South African players emerged, especially batsmen like Bruce Mitchell, Dudley Nourse, and Eric Rowan. This team was also notable because it included players from different backgrounds, not just British.

Bruce Mitchell cricketer 1935
Bruce Mitchell, who held the national record for Test runs.
Dudley Nourse
Dudley Nourse, a talented batsman with many centuries.

The Apartheid Era and Ban

South Africa continued to play regularly against England, Australia, and New Zealand until 1970. However, because of South Africa's apartheid laws, which enforced racial segregation, only white players could play Test cricket for South Africa.

The Anti-Apartheid Movement led the ICC to ban South Africa from international cricket in 1970. This meant many talented players like Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, and Mike Procter could not play Test cricket for most of their careers. Some future stars, like Allan Lamb and Robin Smith, even went on to play for England.

Return to International Cricket

The ICC brought South Africa back into Test cricket in 1991. Their first international match since 1970 was a One-Day International against India in Calcutta on November 10, 1991. They lost that match. South Africa's first Test match after the ban was against the West Indies in April 1992, which they also lost.

Since their return, South Africa has had mixed results. They hosted the 2003 Cricket World Cup. The teams of the 1990s, with players like Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, and Hansie Cronje, were very strong. However, they gained a reputation for "choking" in big tournaments, often reaching the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup but not making it to the finals.

Their biggest international win was the first Champions Trophy in 1998. They also won a gold medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

The 21st Century Proteas

South African Cricket team 2008
The South African team at The Oval in August 2008.

In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, South Africa was a favorite but was knocked out early due to a mistake in calculating runs needed in a rain-affected game. After this, Shaun Pollock stepped down as captain, and Graeme Smith took over.

Later, Ashwell Prince became the first non-white man to captain the South African Test team in 2006. In 2016, a new rule was introduced to ensure the team had an average minimum of six Black players, with two being Black African, in matches throughout the season.

With new talented players like AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, South Africa's cricket team climbed the ICC rankings. In 2012, they toured England and won the series, becoming the world's number one Test team. Eight days later, they became the first team to be ranked number one in all three formats of the game (Tests, ODIs, and T20Is).

While dominant in Tests, their performance in ODIs and T20Is was less consistent. They continued to struggle in major tournaments, reinforcing their "chokers" reputation. After Graeme Smith retired, Hashim Amla became the Test captain.

Tournament History

South Africa has a history of not winning major world cups, which has been a source of frustration for fans.

  • In the 1992 Cricket World Cup, they needed 22 runs from 13 balls in a semi-final when rain stopped play. After the delay, they were left needing 22 runs from just one ball, which was impossible.
  • In 1996, they were knocked out in the quarter-finals.
  • In 1999, they lost to Australia in the semi-final in a tied match. Australia advanced because they had finished higher in the group stage.
  • In the 2003 Cricket World Cup, which they hosted, they failed to get past the group stage due to a miscalculation in a rain-affected game.
  • In the 2007 Cricket World Cup, they reached the semi-finals but were bowled out for their lowest World Cup score by Australia.
  • In the 2011 Cricket World Cup, they topped their group but lost to New Zealand in the quarter-final after a dramatic batting collapse.
  • Their biggest heartbreak came in the 2015 Cricket World Cup semi-final, where they lost to New Zealand in a close, rain-affected match.
  • In the 2019 Cricket World Cup, South Africa had a tough tournament and did not qualify for the knockout stages.
  • In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, South Africa reached the semi-final but lost to Australia.

Despite these challenges, South Africa holds the record for the highest successful run chase in One-Day Internationals. They scored 438 runs to win against Australia in an amazing match on March 12, 2006. Many consider this the greatest One-Day International ever played.

In the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, South Africa reached the final without losing a match, beating Afghanistan easily in the semi-final. This was their first time in an ICC final. However, they lost to India by 7 runs. In 2025, South Africa won the World Test Championship final by beating Australia, becoming the world Test champions.

ICC World Test Championship

Year Position Matches Played Won Lost Drawn Tied Final Position
2019–21 5th 13 5 8 0 0 5th
2021–23 3rd 15 8 6 1 0 3rd
2023–25 1st 13 9 3 1 0 1st (Champions)

ICC Cricket World Cup

World Cup Record
Host and Year Round Position Played Won Lost Tied No Result Squad
England 1975 Not eligible due to apartheid ban
England 1979
England Wales 1983
India Pakistan 1987
Australia New Zealand 1992 Semi-finals 4th 9 5 4 0 0 Squad
India Pakistan Sri Lanka 1996 Quarter-final 5th 6 5 1 0 0 Squad
England Wales Scotland Republic of Ireland Netherlands1999 Semi-finals 3rd 9 6 2 1 0 Squad
South Africa Zimbabwe Kenya 2003 Group Stage 9th 6 3 2 0 1 Squad
Cricket West Indies 2007 Semi-finals 4th 10 6 4 0 0 Squad
India Sri Lanka Bangladesh 2011 Quarter-final 5th 7 5 2 0 0 Squad
Australia New Zealand 2015 Semi-finals 4th 8 5 3 0 0 Squad
England Wales 2019 Group Stage 7th 9 3 5 0 1 Squad
India 2023 Semi-finals 3rd 10 7 3 0 0 Squad
South Africa Zimbabwe Namibia 2027 Qualified as co-hosts
Total 0 Titles - 74 45 26 1 2 -

T20 World Cup

T20 World Cup Record
Host and Year Round Position Played Won Lost Tied No Result Squad
South Africa 2007 Super 8s 5th 5 4 1 0 0 Squad
England 2009 Semi-finals 3rd 6 5 1 0 0 Squad
Cricket West Indies 2010 Super 8s 7th 5 2 3 0 0 Squad
Sri Lanka 2012 Super 8s 8th 5 2 3 0 0 Squad
Bangladesh 2014 Semi-finals 4th 5 3 2 0 0 Squad
India 2016 Super 10s 5th 4 2 2 0 0 Squad
United Arab Emirates Oman 2021 Super 12s 5th 5 4 1 0 0 Squad
Australia 2022 Super 12s 6th 5 2 2 1 0 Squad
United States 2024 Runners-up 2nd 9 8 1 0 0 Squad
India Sri Lanka 2026 Qualified
Total 0 Titles - 49 32 16 0 1 -

Champions Trophy

Champions Trophy Record
Host and Year Round Position Played Won Lost Tied No Result Squad
Bangladesh 1998 Champions 1st 3 3 0 0 0 Squad
Kenya 2000 Semi-finals 4th 2 1 1 0 0 Squad
Sri Lanka 2002 Semi-finals 4th 3 2 1 0 0 Squad
England 2004 Group stage 6th 2 1 1 0 0 Squad
India 2006 Semi-finals 3rd 4 2 2 0 0 Squad
South Africa 2009 Group stage 7th 3 1 2 0 0 Squad
England Wales 2013 Semi-final 4th 4 1 2 1 0 Squad
England Wales 2017 Group stage 5th 3 1 2 0 0 Squad
Pakistan United Arab Emirates 2025 Semi-final 3rd 4 2 1 0 1 Squad
Total 1 Title - 28 14 12 1 1 -

Commonwealth Games

Commonwealth Games Record
Year Round Position Played Won Lost Tied No Result Squad
Malaysia 1998 Champions 1st 5 5 0 0 0 Squad
Total 1 Title - 5 5 0 0 0 -

Team Achievements

ICC Titles

  • World Test Championship
    • Champions (1): 2023–2025
  • T20 World Cup
    • Runners-up (1): 2024
  • Champions Trophy
    • Champions (1): 1998

Other Achievements

  • Commonwealth Games
    • Gold medal (1): 1998

Team Colours and Kit

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
1992–1996 ISC No sponsor
1997–2001 Adidas Castle
ICC Cricket World Cup 1999 Asics Standard Bank
2001–2005 Admiral Castle
2005–2008 Hummel Castle
Standard Bank
2008–2011 Reebok Castle
2011–2015 Adidas Standard Bank
Castle
2016–2021 New Balance Standard Bank
No sponsor
2021–2023 Castore No sponsor
ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 Lotto Amul
2023–2025 Lotto Royal Green Spirits
2025-2027 Macron

South Africa's cricket kits are currently made by Macron.

In Test cricket, players wear white uniforms with the King Protea badge and the South African flag. Fielders might wear a green cap or a white sun hat. Helmets are also green.

For One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 (T20) matches, the shirts feature the King Protea badge and the national flag. ODI kits are usually green with yellow accents, while T20 kits are green with a yellow fade. Sometimes, the team plays in all-pink uniforms to support breast cancer awareness.

Current Squad

Cricket South Africa gives national contracts to players who form the core of the Test, One-Day, and Twenty20 International teams. Other players can also be chosen if they perform well.

This list includes active players who have contracts, have played for South Africa since January 2024, or were recently named in a squad.

Name Age Batting style Bowling style Domestic team SA20 Team Forms Contracted Shirt Number Captain Last Test Last ODI Last T20I
Batters
Temba Bavuma 35 Right-handed Right-arm medium Lions N/A Test, ODI Y 11 Test, ODI (C) 2025 2024 2023
David Bedingham 31 Right-handed N/A Western Province Sunrisers Eastern Cape Test N/A 5 2025 N/A N/A
Matthew Breetzke 26 Right-handed N/A Warriors Durban's Super Giants Test, T20I N/A 35 2025 N/A 2024
Tony de Zorzi 27 Left-handed N/A Western Province N/A Test, ODI Y 33 2025 2024 N/A
Reeza Hendricks 35 Right-handed Right-arm off break Lions MI Cape Town ODI, T20I Y 17 N/A 2024 2024
David Miller 36 Left-handed N/A Dolphins Paarl Royals ODI, T20I Y 10 N/A 2024 2024
Jason Smith 30 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Dolphins Durban's Super Giants ODI, T20I N/A 57 N/A 2024 2024
Tristan Stubbs 24 Right-handed Right-arm off break Warriors Sunrisers Eastern Cape Test, ODI, T20I Y 30 2025 2024 2024
Rassie van der Dussen 36 Right-handed Right-arm leg break Lions MI Cape Town ODI, T20I Y 72 2022 2024 2025
Dewald Brevis 22 Right-handed Right-arm leg break Titans MI Cape Town Test, T20I Y 52 2025 N/A 2025
All-rounders
Corbin Bosch 30 Right-handed Right-arm fast-medium Titans N/A Test, ODI, T20I N/A 2025 2024 2025
Donovan Ferreira 27 Right-handed N/A Titans Joburg Super Kings T20I N/A 55 N/A N/A 2024
Dayyaan Galiem 28 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Titans Paarl Royals T20I N/A N/A N/A 2024
Marco Jansen 25 Right-handed Left-arm fast Warriors Sunrisers Eastern Cape Test, ODI, T20I Y 70 2025 2024 2024
Patrick Kruger 30 Right-handed Right-arm medium Warriors Sunrisers Eastern Cape T20I N/A 61 N/A N/A 2024
George Linde 33 Left-handed Left-arm orthodox Western Province MI Cape Town T20I N/A 27 2021 2021 2025
Aiden Markram 30 Right-handed Right arm off break Titans Sunrisers Eastern Cape Test, ODI, T20I Y 4 T20I (C); Test, ODI (VC) 2025 2024 2024
Wiaan Mulder 27 Right-handed Right-arm medium Lions Durban's Super Giants Test, ODI, T20I N/A 24 2025 2024 2024
Senuran Muthusamy 31 Left-handed Left-arm orthodox Lions Pretoria Capitals Test, ODI, T20I N/A 67 2024 2025 2025
Andile Phehlukwayo 29 Left-handed Right-arm medium-fast Dolphins Paarl Royals ODI, T20I Y 23 2018 2024 2024
Andile Simelane 22 Right-handed Right-arm fast Dolphins Sunrisers Eastern Cape T20I N/A 99 N/A N/A 2025
Wicket-keepers
Ryan Rickelton 29 Left-handed N/A Lions MI Cape Town Test, ODI, T20I Y 44 T20I (VC) 2025 2024 2024
Kyle Verreynne 28 Right-handed N/A Western Province Pretoria Capitals Test, ODI N/A 97 2025 2024 N/A
Lhuan-dre Pretorius 19 Left-handed N/A Titans Paarl Royals Test, T20I Y 80 2025 N/A 2025
Spin bowlers
Bjorn Fortuin 30 Right-handed Left-arm orthodox Lions Paarl Royals ODI, T20I Y 77 N/A 2024 2024
Keshav Maharaj 35 Right-handed Left-arm orthodox Dolphins Durban's Super Giants Test, T20I Y 16 2025 2023 2024
Nqaba Peter 23 Right-handed Right-arm leg break N/A Paarl Royals ODI, T20I N/A 91 N/A 2024 2025
Dane Piedt 35 Right-handed Right-arm off break Knights MI Cape Town Test N/A 63 2024 N/A N/A
Tabraiz Shamsi 35 Right-handed Left-arm unorthodox Titans Joburg Super Kings ODI, T20I Y 26 2018 2024 2024
Seam bowlers
Ottneil Baartman 32 Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast Dolphins Sunrisers Eastern Cape ODI, T20I N/A 86 N/A 2024 2024
Nandre Burger 29 Left-handed Left-arm fast-medium Western Province Joburg Super Kings Test, ODI, T20I Y 71 2024 2024 2025
Gerald Coetzee 24 Right-handed Right-arm fast Titans Joburg Super Kings Test, T20I Y 62 2024 2023 2024
Beuran Hendricks 35 Left-handed Left-arm fast-medium Western Province N/A ODI N/A 14 2020 2023 2021
Kwena Maphaka 19 Left-handed Left-arm fast Lions Paarl Royals Test, ODI, T20I N/A 81 2025 2024 2025
Lungi Ngidi 29 Right-handed Right-arm fast-medium Titans Paarl Royals Test, ODI, T20I Y 22 2024 2024 2024
Anrich Nortje 31 Right-handed Right-arm fast Warriors Pretoria Capitals ODI, T20I N/A 20 2023 2023 2024
Dane Paterson 36 Right-handed Right-arm fast-medium Western Province N/A Test N/A 42 2024 2019 2018
Kagiso Rabada 30 Left-handed Right-arm fast Lions MI Cape Town Test, ODI, T20I Y 25 2025 2024 2024
Lutho Sipamla 27 Right-handed Right-arm fast-medium Lions N/A T20I N/A 65 2022 2021 2024
Lizaad Williams 31 Left-handed Right-arm medium-fast Titans Joburg Super Kings ODI, T20I N/A 6 2022 2024 2024

Coaching Staff

The current head coach for the Test team is Shukri Conrad.

Images for kids

See also

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