Greatest South African ODI XI of all time

Amla de Villiers Donald Pollock
The likes of Amla, AB de Villiers, Pollock and Donald form a formidable outfit

On face value, the combination of one-day cricket and South Africa is largely associated with the term 'choking' due to their several painful defeats in key World Cup matches. Although they have regularly underachieved in major tournaments, the Proteas have usually been among the top ODI teams due to their consistent showing in bilateral matches across the globe.

Also Read: Greatest South African Test XI of all time

In this segment, let us assemble an all time South African ODI lineup capable of defeating the strongest of oppositions on different surfaces. Emphasis has been placed on long-serving players with balanced records in various territories as well as memorable performances against powerful opponents. A formidable mix of enterprising batting, spectacular fielding and potent pace bowling join hands to result in a star-studded cross-generational Proteas outfit.

(Note: All Statistics of active players are accurate as of 12th February, 2018)


#5 Openers

Amla Smith
Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith opened the batting together in 49 ODIs

Since making his debut in 2008, Hashim Amla has grown from strength to strength and established himself as a prolific run-scorer in ODIs. From 162 matches thus far, he has accumulated 7454 runs at a remarkable average of 50.36 with 26 centuries and 34 fifties. The technically compact right-hander is the fastest to complete 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs in ODI history.

Even though more gifted men may have played for the Proteas, Graeme Smith stands as the embodiment of pure grit in the annals of South African cricket. From 2002 till his final appearance in 2013, he played 197 ODIs and scored 6989 runs at an average of 37.98 and strike-rate of 80.81 with 10 tons and 47 fifties. Thrust into the mantle of captaincy before he could find his feet at the highest level, the left-hander emerged to become the finest skipper from the Rainbow Nation. Needless to say, he captains the all-time ODI XI.

#4 Middle-order

Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis provided solidity and resilience to South Africa's batting lineup

With his phlegmatic defence and meticulous attention to run-making, Jacques Kallis provides an impenetrable and automatic choice for the crucial number three slot. South Africa's all-time leading run-scorer amassed 11,579 runs from 328 ODIs at an average of 44.36 and strike-rate of 72.89. Aside from piling on 103 fifty-plus scores, he also contributed 273 wickets at an economy-rate of 4.84.

Unarguably, AB de Villiers is the best batsman to represent South Africa in the 50-over format. The dynamic right-hander has played 226 ODIs thus far and scored 9541 runs at an imposing average of 53.90 and scintillating strike-rate of 101.15. Each of 25 centuries have come at a strike-rate in excess of 100. 21 of those have come in winning cause. He also dons the wicket-keeping gloves in order to add depth to the playing eleven.

Coming in at the fall of the third wicket, a number five batsman has to be versatile in nature. There cannot be many better options than Faf du Plessis in such regard. Aside from keeping the scorecard ticking by rotating the strike with aplomb, he can also punish those wayward deliveries. The right-hander has played 117 ODIs until now and scored 4379 runs at an average of 44.68 and strike-rate of 88.30.

Considering the plethora of bowling options in the lineup, a specialist batsman can be slotted in at number six. With his rapid running between the wickets and keen understanding of the modern game, Jonty Rhodes was well ahead of his time. While the world remembers his trend-setting fielding skills, his numbers with the bat are quite reasonable too. Playing the vast majority of his 245 matches in the bowling-friendly 1990s, he scored 5935 runs at an average of 35.11 and strike-rate of 80.90 including 35 fifty-plus knocks.

#3 All-rounders

Lance Klusener
Lance Klusener is one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of ODIs

Lance Klusener's valiant performances during the 1999 edition remains one of the most abiding memories in World Cup history. Apart from his ability to target the boundary with minimal fuss, the left-hander could also manipulate the field splendidly. From 171 ODIs, he scored 3576 runs at an average of 41.10 and strike-rate of 89.91. The reliable all-rounder could also bolster the seam department with his skillful bowling. He picked up 192 wickets at an economy-rate of 4.70.

Shaun Pollock was a man of many talents. If he was not sharing the new ball with Allan Donald, the all-rounder could be spotted helping the captain set his fields. Possessing an intrinsic capacity to set up a batsman, the accurate seamer collected 393 wickets from 303 ODIs at an excellent average of 24.50 and top-notch economy-rate of 3.67 with 5 five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he could play the role of crisis-averter and hitter with equal ease. 3519 runs at a strike-rate of 86.69 attest to his batting prowess in the end overs.

#2 Bowlers

Makhaya Ntini
Makhaya Ntini comes in at first change in a menacing pace unit

Without a shred of doubt, the position of specialist spinner is the easiest pick in this distinguished lineup. Born in Lahore, Imran Tahir seems to have found his true abode in South Africa. The attacking leg-spinner has played 84 ODIs thus far and picked 139 wickets at an impressive average of 24.51 and economy-rate of 4.67. Despite having to ply his trade in a batting-friendly era, he has mastered the art of striking in the middle-overs to become an integral part of the Proteas unit.

Beyond the moving smile and warm-hearted demeanour, Makhaya Ntini was a lethal fast bowler capable of hurrying even natural stroke-makers with his bustling pace. The right-armer was a captain's delight in ODIs as he bowled to his field in an unwavering manner. 173 matches fetched him 266 scalps at a stellar average of 24.65 and economy-rate of 4.53 with 4 five-wicket hauls.

Perhaps South Africa's most exciting talent since their readmission into cricket in 1991, Allan Donald struck terror into the hearts of almost every batsman in the 1990s. Moving the ball at ferocious pace, he devoured 272 victims from 164 ODIs at a tremendous average of 21.78 and economy-rate of 4.15 with a career-best haul of 6/23.

#1 12th man and Full squad

Dale Steyn
Lack of regular ODI appearances have consigned Dale Steyn to the 12th man's slot in this lineup

It might be surprising to see Dale Steyn featuring outside the playing eleven in any cross-generational South African team. Contrary to his iconic Test career, he has not played regularly in the 50-over format. Nevertheless, a tally of 180 wickets from 116 ODIs at an average of 26.62 and economy-rate of 4.94 does stand out in an era of flatter pitches and shrinking boundaries. Occupying the 12th man's spot in this lineup, the right-armer offers frightening back-up in the pace department.

Capable of negating early movement and building the platform for big totals, Gary Kirsten takes up the third opener's slot in the 16-man squad. If de Villiers is not too keen on donning the wicket-keeping gloves, then Quinton de Kock can enter the playing eleven.

Considering his expertise in the lower middle-order as well as astute captaincy, Hansie Cronje also gets into the all time squad. Before he tarnished his own legacy by involving himself in the infamous match-fixing scandal, the right-hander was a venerated figure in the international circuit. While Nicky Boje could have provided a reserve spin option, Morne Morkel's propensity to extract extra bounce of most types of pitches gets him the nod.

South Africa's All Time ODI XI

Hashim Amla, Graeme Smith (c), Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers (wk), Faf du Plessis, Jonty Rhodes, Lance Klusener, Shaun Pollock, Imran Tahir, Makhaya Ntini and Allan Donald

Also in the 16-man Squad

Dale Steyn (12th man), Gary Kirsten, Quinton de Kock, Hansie Cronje and Morne Morkel

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Edited by Ram Kumar