CRICKET
WINPLAY NEWS · CRICKET DESK
LATEST
LATEST
CRICKET NEWS.
Proteas updates, domestic cricket, key performances and the scorelines that matter.
02 / PROTEAS HERITAGESouth African
South African
Cricket Facts.
Key moments, records and landmarks from more than two centuries of South African cricket.
Cricket was introduced during the British colonial period
Cricket was introduced to South Africa during the British colonial period and became established in the country during the 19th century.
The first recognised match was played in 1808
The first recognised cricket match in South Africa took place on 5 January 1808 between two teams of English officers.
South Africa became the third Test nation in 1889
South Africa became the third nation to play Test cricket, after England and Australia, when it faced England in 1889.
The first Test was played at St George’s Park
The Proteas’ first Test match was played at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, on 12–13 March 1889.
South Africa helped found the ICC
South Africa was one of the three founding members of the International Cricket Council in 1909, alongside England and Australia.
International cricket returned in 1991
Due to apartheid-era sporting isolation, South Africa was excluded from international cricket for more than two decades before returning in 1991. The establishment of the United Cricket Board of South Africa in June 1991 was part of the unification process that ended racial segregation in the sport.
First ODI after readmission
South Africa played its first ODI after readmission against India on 10 November 1991 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, with Clive Rice as captain.
First major ICC trophy
The Proteas won the first ICC Champions Trophy, then called the ICC KnockOut Trophy, in Bangladesh in 1998. They beat West Indies by four wickets in the final.
The historic 438 run chase
South Africa became the first team to pass 400 runs in a successful ODI run chase when it chased Australia’s 434 in Johannesburg in 2006, winning with 438/9.
AB de Villiers’ fastest ODI century
AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century: 100 runs from just 31 balls against West Indies in Johannesburg in 2015.
No. 1 across formats
South Africa reached No. 1 in the ICC rankings across Tests, ODIs and T20Is in 2012.
First men’s T20 World Cup final
The Proteas reached their first men’s T20 World Cup final in 2024, where they finished runners-up to India.
World Test Champions in 2025
South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship, defeating Australia at Lord’s. This made them World Test Champions and added a second major ICC title to their men’s record.
Why the team is called the Proteas
The national men’s team is nicknamed the Proteas, after South Africa’s national flower, the king protea.
Historic cricket venues
Historic South African cricket venues include Newlands in Cape Town, the Wanderers in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Kingsmead in Durban and St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
03 / ICONS OF THE GAMECricket Legends
Cricket Legends
in South Africa.
Batters, fast bowlers, all-rounders and captains who helped shape the Proteas’ global reputation.
South African cricket has produced some of the game’s most gifted batters, fast bowlers, all-rounders and captains. From the early Test pioneers to the modern Proteas era, these players helped shape the country’s reputation as one of world cricket’s most competitive nations.
Graeme Pollock
Graeme Pollock is widely regarded as one of the finest left-handed batters in cricket history. His Test career was shortened by South Africa’s international isolation, but his record remains extraordinary: he finished with a Test batting average above 60. ESPNcricinfo has described him as South Africa’s player of the century, and many cricket historians believe he could have challenged the game’s greatest run-scoring records with a longer career.
Barry Richards
Barry Richards was a technically brilliant opening batter whose international career also ended far too early because of South Africa’s sporting isolation. Despite playing only four Tests, he made an immediate impact and went on to build a remarkable first-class record around the world. Richards is remembered for his elegant stroke play, concentration and dominance against fast bowling.
Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis is arguably South Africa’s greatest all-round cricketer. He combined elite-level batting with genuinely effective fast-medium bowling and was a key figure in the Proteas’ success across more than a decade. Kallis is often placed among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history because he could win matches with the bat, contribute vital wickets and field reliably in the slips.
Allan Donald
Known as “White Lightning,” Allan Donald was one of the fastest and most feared bowlers of the 1990s. His aggressive pace, hostile bouncers and ability to take wickets on any surface made him central to South Africa’s rise after international readmission. Donald’s battles against Australia, England, Pakistan and the West Indies remain some of the defining fast-bowling contests of his era.
Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock was a highly accurate fast-medium bowler, dependable lower-order batter and respected captain. He became one of South Africa’s leading wicket-takers through movement, control and intelligent use of conditions rather than pure pace alone. Alongside Allan Donald, he formed part of one of the strongest new-ball partnerships in modern cricket.
Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is considered one of the best fast bowlers of the modern era. His combination of speed, late swing, reverse swing and relentless aggression made him dangerous in every format. Steyn was especially dominant in Test cricket, where he helped South Africa become the world’s leading side during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers became one of the most innovative and entertaining batters in world cricket. Known as “Mr 360,” he could score all around the wicket and change the pace of an innings almost instantly. He holds the record for the fastest ODI fifty, reached in 16 balls, and the fastest ODI century, reached in 31 balls, both against West Indies in Johannesburg in January 2015.
Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla was one of South Africa’s most technically sound and consistent modern batters. His calm approach, patience and ability to score heavily in Tests and ODIs made him a cornerstone of the Proteas batting order. Amla’s career also carried cultural importance, as he became one of the most recognisable Muslim sportsmen in South Africa.
Makhaya Ntini
Makhaya Ntini was a trailblazing fast bowler and an important figure in South African cricket. He became the first Black African to play Test cricket for South Africa and later developed into a leading wicket-taker. His energy, durability and ability to strike with the new ball made him a fan favourite.
Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma has become one of the most important leaders in the modern Proteas setup. He was the first Black African captain of South Africa’s men’s national cricket team and has represented an important new chapter in the country’s cricket history. Under his leadership, South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, defeating Australia by five wickets.
04 / PROTEAS HERITAGEHistory of Cricket in
History of Cricket in
South Africa FAQs.
Ten essential answers on the beginnings, isolation, readmission and major achievements of South African cricket.
01 When did cricket begin in South Africa?+
Cricket began developing in South Africa during the British colonial era. The first recognised match was played on 5 January 1808 between teams of English officers, while organised cricket grew strongly during the 19th century.
02 When did South Africa play its first Test match?+
South Africa played its first Test match against England on 12 March 1889 at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha. This made South Africa the third Test-playing nation after England and Australia.
03 Why are South Africa called the Proteas?+
South Africa’s national cricket team is known as the Proteas because the king protea is the country’s national flower. The name reflects national identity and is used across South African cricket branding.
04 Was South Africa a founder member of the ICC?+
Yes. South Africa was one of the three founding members of the Imperial Cricket Conference, now called the International Cricket Council, in 1909. The other founder members were England and Australia.
05 Why was South Africa banned from international cricket?+
South Africa was excluded from international cricket because of apartheid, the country’s system of racial segregation and discrimination. International sporting isolation intensified during the 1970s, and the Proteas did not return to official international cricket until 1991.
06 When did South Africa return to international cricket?+
South Africa returned to international cricket in 1991 after the unification of the country’s cricket structures. Their first ODI after readmission was against India on 10 November 1991.
07 What was South Africa’s first major ICC trophy?+
South Africa’s first major ICC men’s trophy was the 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy, now recognised as the ICC Champions Trophy. The Proteas defeated West Indies by four wickets in the final in Bangladesh.
08 Did South Africa win the Cricket World Cup?+
South Africa has not won the men’s ICC Cricket World Cup. The team has reached several semi-finals, including in 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023, but has not yet reached a men’s ODI World Cup final.
09 Who is South Africa’s greatest cricket player?+
There is no single official answer, but Jacques Kallis is frequently regarded as South Africa’s greatest all-round cricketer. Other legends often included in the debate are Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Allan Donald, Dale Steyn, AB de Villiers and Shaun Pollock.
10 Has South Africa won the World Test Championship?+
Yes. South Africa won the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, beating Australia by five wickets. The result gave the Proteas their World Test Championship title and marked a major moment in the country’s modern cricket history.