IPL: South Africa’s best XI in league history

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is well-known for its brilliance and entertainment. Every player aspires to play in the IPL because it is regarded as not just India's best cricket league, but also arguably the best in the world. However, we are also cognizant of the unpleasant reality that not everyone will love the IPL. 

South Africa is one country that has supported the IPL since its inception and has worked closely with the BCCI at all stages. It even hosted the IPL in 2009, during India's national elections. Many South African players have performed successfully for various IPL teams as well, giving outstanding performances over the years.

Here is the Best South Africa XI in IPL history:

1. Quinton de Kock (WK)

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock has been a star for various franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He is an excellent opener with a penchant for scoring quick runs, especially in powerplays. De Kock has been consistent performer for all the franchises he has played for thus far and now that he has retired from most formats of international cricket, he is available to play in the IPL freely.

De Kock boasts of a very good record in the IPL, with 2907 runs in 96 games for franchises like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Lucknow Super Giants. He has two centuries and 30 half centuries to his name, and a strike rate of 134.21. He has hit 287 fours and 114 sixes and completed 64 catches and 15 stumpings.

2. Faf du Plessis (C)

Faf du Plessis made his IPL debut for Chennai Super Kings in 2012 and now captains Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the tournament. He has an excellent record at the opening slot for both franchises and has honed his captaincy skills by playing under MS Dhoni at CSK. He has also learned by playing with Virat Kohli at RCB. 

Overall, Du Plessis has 4133 runs in 130 IPL matches with 33 fifties to his name. His highest score is 96 and strike rate is 134.14. He is also a safe fielder with 73 catches. He will be crucial if RCB want to win the IPL come the 2024 season. Meanwhile, they will play the opening match against CSK on March 22.

3. AB de Villiers

Who better at No. 3 than the maestro himself, AB de Villiers. The right-hander is considered to be one of the best overseas players to grace the IPL. He had made his debut in 2008 for Delhi Daredevils, before moving to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011 and making it his home until retirement in 2021. 

AB de Villiers was a unique specimen of a batter who hit both pacers and spinners to all parts of the ground and that is evident from his batting record. In 184 IPL matches, De Villiers made 5162 runs at a strike rate of 151.69. His highest score was 133* and he hit three centuries and 40 fifties in his IPL career. He hit 201 sixes and 413 fours in his career and took 118 catches as well.

4. Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest all-rounders to play in the IPL, Jacques Kallis adapted to the T20 format quite easily. He played for RCB (2008-2010) and KKR (2011-2014) and was the mainstay of Kolkata Knight Riders who won the title in 2012 and 2014 with the franchise. He was then the batting coach of the franchise from 2015-2018. Overall, Kallis made 2427 runs in 98 games with 17 fifties and a strike rate of 109.23. He also took 65 wickets with his medium-pace bowling with best figures of 3/13 and an economy of 7.90.

Also Read: New Zealand’s best XI in IPL history

5. David Miller

David Miller made his IPL debut in 2012 for Punjab Kings and it was a surprise that the franchise let him go before IPL 2020, as he was their best batter in the middle order. His best with the franchise came during the 2013-2016 period where he scored over 1300 runs in four seasons batting in the middle-order. He then joined the Rajasthan Royals for two seasons, but couldn’t do much.

Miller was then picked up by Gujarat Titans and was given the finisher's role. He flourished with 481 runs in 16 games in GT’s IPL 2022 title triumph and made 259 runs in IPL 2023. Overall, Miller has 2714 runs in 121 IPL games with one century and 12 fifties, at a strike rate of 138.40.

6. JP Duminy

JP Duminy had made his IPL debut for Mumbai Indians and went on to play for Deccan Chargers and Delhi Capitals. A brilliant middle-order batter, who could both anchor the innings and accelerate when needed, Duminy also shined with the ball. He played 83 IPL matches scoring 2029 runs with 14 fifties to his name. His highest score was 78 and his strike rate was 124.02. With the ball, Duminy took 23 wickets with a best of 4/17.

7. Albie Morkel

Albie Morkel was one of the best all-rounders South Africa produced. The left-handed batter served them well in white-ball cricket. Morkel was also a part of the IPL primarily as a pace bowling all-rounder and made his debut for Chennai Super Kings, being with them till 2013. He played for as many as four teams. 

He won two IPL titles with the Yellow Army in 2010 and 2011. Coming to the IPL, he picked 85 wickets with a best of 4/32 at an economy of 8.20. With the bat, Morkel made 974 runs in 91 IPL matches with a best of 73 at a strike rate of 141.98.

8. Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada is a certified modern-day great of the game. The Proteas pacer is one of the fastest bowlers on the scene and has an attitude to match his speed. Rabada made his IPL debut in 2017 for Delhi Capitals and currently plays for Punjab Kings. He won the Purple Cap in 2022 for Delhi Capitals. Overall, Rabada has 106 wickets in 69 IPL games with a best of 4/21 and an economy of 8.42.

Also Check: RCB All-Time Best XI in IPL

9. Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir, South Africa’s Pakistan-born leg-spinner, is a character that the world of cricket needs. He is positive and full of energy despite his age. Tahir made his IPL debut in 2014 for Delhi Daredevils. He was released in 2016 after which he joined Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017. But he achieved most of his success for CSK, whom he joined in IPL 2018 and helped them win the title. 

Tahir was instrumental in CSK’s run to the final in IPL 2019, with 26 wickets to his name and the Purple Cap. Overall, Tahir picked 82 wickets in 59 IPL matches at an economy of 7.76 and has best bowling figures of 4/12.

10. Anrich Nortje

Anrich Nortje is by far one of the fastest bowlers in the world today and has shown the same intensity and speed in the IPL as well. He made his IPL debut in 2020 for Delhi Capitals, the season DC made it to the finals for the first time. Though injuries have hampered his career, Nortje still has 53 wickets in 40 IPL matches with a best bowling of 3/33 and an economy of 8.33.  

11. Dale Steyn

The legendary pacer Dale Steyn made his IPL debut in 2008 for the Deccan Chargers and won the IPL in 2009 with them. Over the next few years, Steyn became a permanent fixture in the IPL, from 2008 to 2016, playing for teams like Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. 

However, injuries hampered his career in the IPL, as he had to leave a couple of seasons early due to it. He made his presence known in the tournament with the ball and his aggression. His best season was IPL 2013, when he took 18 wickets in 17 games for SRH. He last played in IPL 2020 and finished his career with 97 wickets in 95 games with an economy of 6.92 and best bowling of 3/11.   

Also Check: Top CSK bowling performances in IPL history