South Africa’s history in ICC events is characterised by competitiveness. The country has witnessed remarkable feats, including a dominant performance against Australia and England in the early 1900s and – at one point – held the title of the world’s best test nation.

Since their return to international cricket in 1991, South Africa has quickly re-established their dominance on the pitch and emerged as one of the world’s premier teams. The country boasts an impressive roster of players, including legends such as Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, and AB De Villiers.

The individual performances of South African players in various formats cannot be ignored. It’s worth noting that the Proteas are, in fact, the most successful team in ODI’s. With that said, let’s take a closer look at the top greatest players to ever represent South Africa.

Hashim Amla

One of the most accomplished batsmen to hail from South Africa, the opening batsman holds the distinction of being the country’s second-highest run-scorer. Amla was a versatile batsman who could seamlessly transition from defensive to attacking play and his remarkable average of over 54.11 in wins underscores his immense value to the team.

Herschelle Gibbs

While Herschelle Gibbs may not have been a role model for aspiring athletes, his undeniable talent as a cricketer made him one of the most remarkable players in South African history. Gibbs was ruthless yet elegant, reckless yet consistent, and his iconic innings of 175 in the legendary 438-9 match against Australia will forever be etched in cricketing folklore.

Gibbs was a prolific run-scorer and a valuable asset to the South African team in both Tests and one-day internationals. He amassed 6 167 runs in 90 Test matches and 8 094 runs in 248 one-day internationals, boasting an impressive average of 83.26.

In fact, Gibbs is South Africa’s second-highest run-getter in ODIs, a testament to his prowess as a batsman who never feared any bowler. His legacy as one of South Africa’s most talented cricketers will endure for years to come.

Allan Donald

Allan Donald is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers to ever grace the cricketing world. As the first South African bowler to reach 300 wickets, Donald was a force to be reckoned with in both Test and ODI cricket, possessing a deadly combination of pace and accuracy that left opposition batsmen with little room to manoeuvre.

Although Donald’s prowess was on full display in all conditions, he was particularly impressive in the sub-continent. In India, he boasted a remarkable average of just 16 with the ball, while his performance in Sri Lanka was equally impressive, with an average of 19.

Donald’s ability to take wickets was unparalleled, making him a valuable asset to any team lucky enough to have him. In fact, his luck was what every bingo Canada player wants! His remarkable skill and fierce competitiveness will forever cement his place among the all-time greats of the game.

Jonty Rhodes

Rhodes was the first South African cricketer to take 100 catches in ODI. Apart from fielding Rhodes has a decent batting record. He has scored over 8 000 career runs with a top score of 121 in ODI.