South Africa have only played ODI Cricket for 33 years ever since 1971. However in those 33 years, they have seen some of the most destructive batters and bowlers play for them. They have reached the semi finals of the ODI World Cups. They are a team that are getting better and the pool of talent will ensure that one day they win a World Cup.
Let’s look at the All Time South Africa ODI Cricket XI
Opening Batters
Herschelle Gibbs
The first opening batter for South Africa will be Herschelle Gibbs. It was a difficult choice between him and Graeme Smith but Gibbs has the better numbers. He has played 248 ODIs for South Africa. He has scored 8094 runs at an average of 36.13. Gibbs has hit 21 hundreds in ODI Cricket. His highest score of 175 was a part of the greatest run chase in ODI history when South Africa chased 435 against Australia. That is one of the Top 3 greatest innings played for South Africa in this format.
Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla is one of the best Batters to play for South Africa In the last 20 years. He was the best batter In the world and he had multiple records to his name at one point. He played 181 ODIs for South Africa. He made 8113 runs at an average of 49.47. Hashim Amla hit 27 hundreds in ODI Cricket in addition to the 28 he hit in Test Cricket. Hashim Amla has a highest score of 159 in ODI Cricket. At one point he and Virat Kohli were being compared as the best in the world in ODI Cricket. Check here Best Innings of Hasim Amla
Middle Order
AB De Villiers (C)
At number 3 is the most explosive and destructive batter in this team. AB De Villiers was the perfect batter in ODI Cricket. He will be the captain of this team. AB played 228 ODIs in his career. He scored 9577 at a very good average of 53.50. AB has hit 25 hundreds in ODI Cricket. His highest score is 176 but there are two innings that are his best. First is when he smashed 149 from 44 balls against West Indies where he hit 16 sixes and got his hundred in 31 balls. Second was in the 2015 World Cup where he hit a brilliant 162 for South Africa. Do read here about the Best Innings of AB De Villiers
Faf Du Plessis
The number 4 batter in this team will be the great Faf Du Plessis. He is a batter that still plays franchise T20I cricket. He was an important pillar in the South African team. He played 143 ODIs for South Africa in which he made 5507 runs at an average of 47.47. Faf Du Plessis has made 12 hundreds in ODI Cricket. He has a highest score of 185 in this format. He will provide stability to the batting order. Navigate here for Best innings of Faf Du Plessis
Jacques Kallis
This was the easiest selection In this team because he is the greatest that has ever played for South Africa. Jacques Kallis is the man and he is the best all rounder in ODI history. He played 328 ODIs for South Africa in his glorious career. He scored 11579 runs at an average of 44.36. Jacques Kallis has hit 17 hundreds in ODI Cricket with his highest score being 139. Kallis has also taken 273 wickets in ODI Cricket. He has a bowling average of 31.79 and he has taken 2 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. There is no cricketer that has the numbers of this man with both bat and ball.
Lance Klusener
Imagine having both Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener in the same team. These are two of the best all rounders and the balance they provide South Africa is immense. Lance Klusener played 171 ODIs for South Africa. He made 3576 runs and he had an average of 41.10. Lance Klusener hit 2 centuries and had a highest score of 103*. He took 192 Wickets at an average of 29.95. Lance Klusener took 6 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. Truly a special talent and he could have won the 1999 World Cup for his country.
Lower Order and Bowlers
Mark Boucher (WK)
There was really not much of a contest when it came to this spot because Mark Boucher is the greatest wicket Keeper to play for South Africa. He played 295 ODIs for South Africa. He made 4686 runs at an average of 26.86. Mark Boucher has a highest score of 147* in ODI Cricket. He has taken 402 Catches as a Wicket keeper in ODI Cricket. Mark Boucher will also be a senior player in the team.
Allan Donald
The first fast bowler to be in this team is Allan Donald. He was also a part of the All Time Test X1 for South Africa. He was an ODI great. He played 164 ODIs in his career. He took 272 Wickets at a good average of 21.79. He has taken 2 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket and has a best bowling figures of 6/23. This was an easy selection in this team. Check here the Best Bowling Performances of Allan Donald
Shaun Pollock
The second fast bowler in this team was also one of the easiest selections as Shaun Pollock is perhaps the greatest fast bowler to play ODI Cricket for South Africa. He played in 303 ODIs but he was a pure all rounder. He scored 3519 runs at an average of 26.14. Shaun Pollock hit one hundred and he made 130. However with his primary skill he took 393 wickets for South Africa. He had an average of 24.51 and he took 5 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He and Allan Donald will be a lethal bowling pair.
Makhaya Ntini
The third fast bowler in this team is Makhaya Ntini. He edges out Dale Steyn because he has taken far more wickets than Dale Steyn. He has played 173 ODIs for South Africa. He took 266 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 24.66. Makhaya Ntini has taken 4 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He will be the fast bowler that will bowl the long spell for South Africa. A three pronged fast bowling attack for South Africa. Here take a look at Best bowling Performances of Makhaya Ntini
Imran Tahir
The lone spinner in the team is Imran Tahir. He has been an inspiration for all those players who feel like they cannot start late in life playing cricket and not become successful. He played 107 ODIs for South Africa. He took 173 Wickets at an average of 24.84. Imran Tahir has taken 3 Five Wicket Hauls in ODI Cricket. He will complete the team perfectly. This South African team can give a tough fight to any team from any era.
