South Africa at the ICC Cricket World Cup
On 26 February 1992, South Africa made their first appearance at an ICC Cricket World Cup. Since then, they have been a part of every edition of the tournament, reaching the semi-finals on four occasions.
Their hunt for an elusive first title goes on, and the current crop of players will be hoping to break their duck next year at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
To mark the anniversary of South Africa’s first-ever World Cup appearance, we take a look at their top performers at the tournament.
Highest run-scorer: AB de Villiers (1207)
AB de Villiers shattered records and West Indies' attack with an unbeaten 66-ball 162 to set up a massive win for South Africa in Sydney.
With four centuries, six half-centuries and an average of 63.52, it’s fair to say AB de Villiers comes alive on the biggest stage.
De Villiers has played at three editions of the tournament – 2007, 2011 and 2015, scoring 1207 runs in the process. His first century came against Windies in 2007, when he struck 146 off 130 balls opening the batting for South Africa. He hit an unbeaten 107 against the same opposition in 2011 and followed it up in the next game with 134 off 98 balls against the Netherlands.
Who could forget his most recent ton at the World Cup, in 2015? Windies were the victims again as de Villiers went on a rampage in Sydney – 17 fours and eight sixes were hit as he scored an unbelievable 162 not out off just 66 balls; the fastest 150 in ODI history.
Most wickets: Allan Donald (38)
Allan Donald took 38 wickets across four editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup to sit atop the wicket-takers’ list for his country.
Donald’s first ICC Cricket World Cup appearance came against Australia in 1992, when he took 3/34, and he played at the next three editions of the tournament.
His most successful tournament was in 1999, when he took 16 wickets in nine games at an average of 20.31, including four-wicket hauls against England and Australia. His 4/17 from eight overs against England at The Oval was his best at the tournament.
Highest score: Gary Kirsten (188* v UAE)
Gary Kirsten hit a then ICC Cricket World Cup record score of 188 not out against UAE in South Africa’s opening match of the tournament in 1996.
It was, in fact, the first century hit by a South African in World Cup history, and remained the best individual batting effort at a World Cup till Chris Gayle topped it with his innings of 215 against Zimbabwe in 2015.
Kirsten’s innings against UAE included 13 fours and four sixes as he batted the full 50 overs in Rawalpindi.
Best bowling figures: Andrew Hall (5/18 v England)
Andrew Hall’s devastating spell against England at the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007 helped book South Africa a spot in the semi-finals.
Hall’s spell included four wickets in just nine balls as he finished with figures of 5/18 – the best by a South African at a World Cup.
Hall sent back Paul Collingwood, Andrew Flintoff, Paul Nixon, Sajid Mahmood and James Anderson to help shoot England out for just 154.
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ticket ballot opens on 1 May 2018. REGISTER HEREfor priority access to the ballot.