South Africa Cricket Team in ODI World Cup
The South Africa Cricket Team’s journey in the ODI World Cup is a tale of triumph and heartbreak. During this period, the team showcased exceptional talent and resilience, establishing themselves as challenging competitors in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa’s entry into the World Cup in 1992 marked their return to international cricket […]
The South Africa Cricket Team’s journey in the ODI World Cup is a tale of triumph and heartbreak. During this period, the team showcased exceptional talent and resilience, establishing themselves as challenging competitors in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. South Africa’s entry into the World Cup in 1992 marked their return to international cricket after years of isolation due to the apartheid era. South Africa’s campaign was marked by impressive performances, reaching the semi-finals under the captaincy of Kepler Wessels. However, rain interrupted their crucial match against England, resulting in a heart-wrenching exit via an unfair rain rule.
South Africa’s journey in the ODI World Cup has been filled with thrilling performances, heartbreaking defeats, and missed opportunities. While the team showcased exceptional skill and resilience, they fell short of achieving their goal of lifting the coveted trophy.
However, their legacy in the tournament remains as they strive for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup success in the years to come. Here is a complete record of the South Africa Cricket Team’s performance on the World Cup stage from 1992 to 2019.
South Africa Cricket Team in ODI World Cup Stats
In subsequent tournaments, the South African team consistently displayed their prowess. Led by inspirational captains like Hansie Cronje and Graeme Smith and with players like Jacques Kallis, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, and many others, they have boasted an excellent batting lineup and a lethal bowling attack.
They have played 64 World Cup matches since the 1992 edition. South Africa has won 38 matches and lost 23 in the history of this tournament. Here is a complete win and loss record of the South Africa Cricket Team in all the World Cup matches played till now.
| Year | Number of World Cup Matches Played | Won | Lost |
| Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Wills World Cup 1996 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| ICC World Cup 1999 | 9 | 6 | 2 |
| ICC World Cup 2003 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| ICC World Cup 2007 | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 | 10 | 3 | 5 |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 | 9 | 7 | 2 |
Most Runs in World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
AB de Villiers, popularly known as Mr. 360 degree, has the record for scoring the most runs for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup till now. AB de Villiers has made 1207 runs for the team in 23 World Cup matches. He participated in the 2007, 2011, and 2015 editions of the ODI World Cup. He also made 4 centuries for the team throughout his ODI World Cup venture.
Here are the top 10 South Africa Cricket Team batters who have made the most runs for the team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
| Player | Span | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s |
| AB de Villiers | 2007-2015 | 1207 | 162* | 4 | 6 |
| JH Kallis | 1996-2011 | 1148 | 128* | 1 | 9 |
| HH Gibbs | 1999-2007 | 1067 | 143 | 2 | 8 |
| Q de Kock | 2015-2023 | 1044 | 174 | 4 | 4 |
| F du Plessis | 2011-2019 | 926 | 109 | 2 | 7 |
| HM Amla | 2011-2019 | 842 | 159 | 2 | 5 |
| G Kirsten | 1996-2003 | 806 | 188* | 1 | 5 |
| GC Smith | 2003-2011 | 747 | 91 | – | 6 |
| AC Hudson | 1992-1996 | 571 | 161 | 1 | 4 |
| WJ Cronje | 1992-1999 | 476 | 78 | – | 2 |
Highest Score in World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
Gary Kirsten of the South Africa Cricket Team made the record for making the highest score for the team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Kirsten made 188 runs off 159 balls and stayed not out against the United Arab Emirates Cricket Team in the 1996 edition of the ODI World Cup with the help of 13 boundaries and 4 sixes.
Here are the top 10 batters of the South Africa Cricket Team who scored the highest for the team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
| Player | Score | Balls | Opponent | 4s | 6s | Year |
| G Kirsten | 188* | 159 | v U.A.E. | 13 | 4 | 16 Feb 1996 |
| AB de Villiers | 162* | 66 | v West Indies | 17 | 8 | 27 Feb 2015 |
| AC Hudson | 161 | 132 | v Netherlands | 13 | 4 | 05 Mar 1996 |
| HM Amla | 159 | 128 | v Ireland | 16 | 4 | 03 Mar 2015 |
| AB de Villiers | 146 | 130 | v West Indies | 12 | 5 | 10 Apr 2007 |
| HH Gibbs | 143 | 141 | v New Zealand | 19 | 3 | 16 Feb 2003 |
| DA Miller | 138* | 92 | v Zimbabwe | 7 | 9 | 15 Feb 2015 |
| AB de Villiers | 134 | 98 | v Netherlands | 13 | 4 | 03 Mar 2011 |
| JH Kallis | 128* | 109 | v Netherlands | 11 | 5 | 16 Mar 2007 |
| JP Duminy | 115* | 100 | v Zimbabwe | 9 | 3 | 15 Feb 2015 |
Most 50s in World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
Jacques Kallis has made the most half-centuries for the South Africa Cricket Team at the ODI World Cup stage. Kallis was a classy player who made this record by making 9 half-centuries for the team on the World Cup stage from 1996 to 2011. He played 36 World Cup matches for the team. Second and third on this list are Herschelle Gibbs and Faf du Plessis, with 9 and 8 World Cup half-centuries for the team.
Here are the top 10 players of the South Africa Cricket Team who have made the most half-centuries for the team at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup stage.
| Player | Span | Matches | 50 | 50+ | Runs |
| AB de Villiers | 2007-2015 | 23 | 6 | 10 | 1207 |
| HH Gibbs | 1999-2007 | 25 | 8 | 10 | 1067 |
| JH Kallis | 1996-2011 | 36 | 9 | 10 | 1148 |
| F du Plessis | 2011-2019 | 23 | 7 | 9 | 926 |
| Q de Kock | 2015-2023 | 27 | 4 | 8 | 1044 |
| HE van der Dussen | 2019-2023 | 19 | 5 | 7 | 759 |
| HM Amla | 2011-2019 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 842 |
| GC Smith | 2003-2011 | 20 | 6 | 6 | 747 |
| G Kirsten | 1996-2003 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 806 |
| AC Hudson | 1992-1996 | 12 | 4 | 5 | 571 |
Most 100s in World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
AB de Villiers has made the most centuries for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. De Villiers has made 4 centuries in 23 matches for his team from 2007 to 2015 World Cups. He has also made the most runs in the World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team.
Here are the top 10 South Africa Cricket Team players who have made the most centuries for the team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup till now.
| Player | Span | Matches | Centuries | Runs |
| AB de Villiers | 2007-2015 | 23 | 4 | 1207 |
| Q de Kock | 2015-2023 | 27 | 4 | 1044 |
| HE van der Dussen | 2019-2023 | 19 | 2 | 759 |
| F du Plessis | 2011-2019 | 23 | 2 | 926 |
| DA Miller | 2015-2023 | 24 | 2 | 816 |
| HM Amla | 2011-2019 | 22 | 2 | 842 |
| HH Gibbs | 1999-2007 | 25 | 2 | 1067 |
| AC Hudson | 1992-1996 | 12 | 1 | 571 |
| JP Duminy | 2011-2019 | 18 | 1 | 458 |
Most Wickets in World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
Imran Tahir has taken the most wickets for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup till now. He made this record by taking 40 wickets in 22 ODI World Cup matches from 2011 to 2019 editions of the Cricket World Cup. Tahir, after Dale Steyn, has been the best South African bowler.
Here are the top 10 wicket-takers of the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
| Player | Span | Matches | Wickets | Economy |
| Imran Tahir | 2011-2019 | 22 | 40 | 4.41 |
| AA Donald | 1992-2003 | 25 | 38 | 4.17 |
| SM Pollock | 1996-2007 | 31 | 31 | 3.6 |
| M Morkel | 2011-2015 | 14 | 26 | 4.66 |
| K Rabada | 2019-2023 | 18 | 24 | 5..04 |
| DW Steyn | 2011-2015 | 14 | 23 | 4.67 |
| L Klusener | 1999-2003 | 14 | 22 | 4.82 |
| JH Kallis | 1996-2011 | 36 | 21 | 4.28 |
| AJ Hall | 2003-2007 | 12 | 19 | 4.42 |
| BM McMillan | 1992-1996 | 15 | 17 | 3.73 |
Best Bowling Figures in an Inning in the World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
Andrew Hall has created the best bowling figure for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Cricket World Cup till now. He took 5 wickets against the English Cricket Team in the 2007 edition of the World Cup. Hall spared only 18 runs to the opposition in 10.0 overs while creating this record.
Here are the top 10 South Africa Cricket Team wicket-takers in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
| Player | Overs | Wickets | Runs | Opposition | Year |
| AJ Hall | 10 | 5 | 18 | v England | 17 Apr 2007 |
| L Klusener | 8.3 | 5 | 21 | v Kenya | 26 May 1999 |
| SM Pollock | 9.2 | 5 | 36 | v Australia | 17 Jun 1999 |
| CK Langeveldt | 10 | 5 | 39 | v Sri Lanka | 28 Mar 2007 |
| A Nel | 10 | 5 | 45 | v Bangladesh | 07 Apr 2007 |
| Imran Tahir | 10 | 5 | 45 | v West Indies | 27 Feb 2015 |
| DW Steyn | 9.4 | 5 | 50 | v India | 12 Mar 2011 |
| MW Pringle | 8 | 4 | 11 | v West Indies | 05 Mar 1992 |
| RJ Peterson | 7 | 4 | 12 | v Bangladesh | 19 Mar 2011 |
| L Klusener | 8 | 4 | 16 | v Kenya | 12 Feb 2003 |
Best Bowling Average in the World Cup for the South Africa Cricket Team
Lonwabe Tsotsobe has had the best bowling average for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Cricket World Cup till now. He had an average of 4.66 while bowling 5.0 overs for the team. Tsotsobe has only played in the 2011 edition of the ODI World Cup. He even took 3 wickets for the team in such a short span!
Here are the top 10 bowlers of the South Africa Cricket Team with the best bowling average for the team in the ICC World Cup till now.
| Player | Matches | Average | Wickets | Economy | Runs Spared |
| LL Tsotsobe | 1 | 4.66 | 3 | 2.8 | 14 |
| PS de Villiers | 1 | 13.5 | 2 | 3.85 | 27 |
| KJ Abbott | 4 | 14.44 | 9 | 4.19 | 130 |
| PN Kirsten | 8 | 17.39 | 5 | 4.83 | 87 |
| A Nel | 6 | 18.07 | 12 | 4.14 | 217 |
| D Pretorius | 3 | 18.8 | 5 | 4.08 | 94 |
| M Morkel | 14 | 19.46 | 26 | 4.66 | 506 |
| G Coetzee | 8 | 19.80 | 20 | 6.23 | 396 |
| RJ Peterson | 10 | 20 | 16 | 4.32 | 320 |
| Imran Tahir | 22 | 21.17 | 40 | 4.41 | 847 |
South Africa Cricket Team Performance in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Stats
Untimely exits and near-misses often marred the South African team’s World Cup dreams. The team suffered the infamous “Choke” tag as they succumbed to pressure in crucial knockout matches, notably in 1999 and 2011. Despite their undeniable talent, they struggled to convert their potential into World Cup glory. However, they’ve had some memorable moments as well. One includes Lance Klusener’s heroics in 1999 and their historic victory against Australia in 2007.
Here is a complete performance stat of the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup till now.
| World Cup Year | Team’s Performance |
| Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| Wills World Cup 1996 | Quarter-Finals (4th Position) |
| ICC World Cup 1999 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| ICC World Cup 2003 | Group Stage (5th in Group B) |
| ICC World Cup 2007 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 | Quarter-Finals (4th Position) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 | Group Stage (7th Position) |
| World Cup Year | Team’s Performance |
| Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| Wills World Cup 1996 | Quarter-Finals (4th Position) |
| ICC World Cup 1999 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
| ICC World Cup 2023 | Semi-Finals (3rd Position) |
Frequently Asked Questions About The South Africa Cricket Team in ODI World Cup
Q1. How many times has the South Africa Team reached the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals?
Ans: The South Africa Cricket Team has reached the ICC Cricket World Cup semi-finals four times. They reached the semi-finals for the first time in their debut year itself – 1992. Later, they also qualified for the 1999, 2007, and 2015 semi-finals.
Q2. Who has taken the most wickets for the South Africa Team in the World Cup?
Ans: Imran Tahir has taken the most wickets for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. He took 40 wickets in 22 matches from 2011 to 2019.
Q3. Who has made the most runs for the South Africa Cricket Team in the World Cup?
Ans: AB de Villiers has made the most runs for the South Africa Cricket Team in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. He has made 1207 runs in 23 World Cup matches for his team.
