Global InformationSouth Africa national cricket team information
 South Africa Cricket's coat of arms | |||||||||||||
| Nickname(s) | Proteas | ||||||||||||
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| Association | Cricket South Africa | ||||||||||||
| Personnel | |||||||||||||
| Test captain | Temba Bavuma | ||||||||||||
| One Day captain | Temba Bavuma | ||||||||||||
| T20I captain | Aiden Markram | ||||||||||||
| Coach | Shukri Conrad (Test) Rob Walter (ODI & T20) | ||||||||||||
| International Cricket Council | |||||||||||||
| ICC status | Full member (1909) | ||||||||||||
| ICC region | Africa Cricket Association | ||||||||||||
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| Tests | |||||||||||||
| First Test | v  England at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, 12–13 March 1889 | ||||||||||||
| Last Test | v  New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui; 13–16 February 2024 | ||||||||||||
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| World Test Championship appearances | 2 (first in 2019–2021) | ||||||||||||
| Best result | 3rd place (2021–2023) | ||||||||||||
| One Day Internationals | |||||||||||||
| First ODI | v  India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata; 10 November 1991 | ||||||||||||
| Last ODI | v India at Boland Park, Paarl; 21 December 2023 | ||||||||||||
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| World Cup appearances | 8 (first in 1992) | ||||||||||||
| Best result | Semi-finalist (1992, 1999, 2007, 2015, 2023) | ||||||||||||
| Twenty20 Internationals | |||||||||||||
| First T20I | v New Zealand at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg; 21 October 2005 | ||||||||||||
| Last T20I | v India at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg; 14 December 2023 | ||||||||||||
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| T20 World Cup appearances | 8 (first in 2007) | ||||||||||||
| Best result | Semi-finalist (2009, 2014) | ||||||||||||
| Official website | https://cricket.co.za/ | ||||||||||||
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| As of 16 February 2024 | |||||||||||||
The South Africa men's national cricket team (Afrikaans: Suid-Afrikaanse nasionale krieketspan), also known as the Proteas, represents South Africa in men's international cricket and is administered by Cricket South Africa (CSA). South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council (ICC). Its nickname derives from South Africa's national flower, Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the "King Protea".
South Africa entered first-class and international cricket at the same time when they hosted an England cricket team in the 1888–89 season. Initially, the team was no match for Australia or England but, having gained experience and expertise, they were able to field a competitive team by the first decade of the 20th century. The team regularly played against Australia, England and New Zealand through to the 1960s, by which time there was considerable opposition to the country's apartheid policy. The ICC imposed an international ban on the team, commensurate with actions taken by other global sporting bodies. When the ban was imposed, South Africa had developed to a point where its team was arguably the best in the world, and even out-played Australia.
The ban remained in place until 1991, after which South Africa played against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies for the first time. The team has been strong since its reinstatement, and has at several times held the number-one positions in international rankings. South Africa is also one of the most successful teams in ODI cricket, winning more than 61 per cent of their matches.[8] However, the 1998 Champions Trophy is its sole success in ICC-organised tournaments. South Africa won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998.[9]
As of November 2023, team is currently ranked 3rd in ODIs, 5th in T20Is and 4th in Tests.[10]
- ^ "ICC Rankings". International Cricket Council.
- ^ "Test matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "Test matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "ODI matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "ODI matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "T20I matches - Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "T20I matches - 2024 Team records". ESPNcricinfo.
- ^ "Records; One-Day Internationals; ESPN Cricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
- ^ The Commonwealth Games Experience by Shaun Pollock ESPN Cricinfo
- ^ "ICC overview of Player Rankings International Cricket Council". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 28 January 2021.