South Africa |
| Nickname(s) | Proteas |
|---|
| Association | Cricket South Africa |
|---|
|
| Test captain | Temba Bavuma |
|---|
| One Day captain | Temba Bavuma |
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| T20I captain | Aiden Markram |
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| Coach | Shukri Conrad |
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|
| Test status acquired | 1889 |
|---|
|
| ICC status | Full member (1909) |
|---|
| ICC region | Africa Cricket Association |
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| ICC Rankings |
Current |
Best-ever |
|---|
| Test |
2nd |
1st (1 January 1969) |
|---|
| ODI |
6th |
1st (1 May 1996) |
|---|
| T20I |
5th |
1st (8 August 2012) |
|---|
|
|
| First Test | v England at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, 12–13 March 1889 |
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| Last Test | v Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground, London; 11–14 June 2025 |
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| Tests |
Played |
Won/Lost |
|---|
| Total |
473 |
186/161
(126 draws) |
|---|
| This year |
2 |
2/0 (0 draws) |
|---|
|
| World Test Championship appearances | 3 (first in 2019–2021) |
|---|
| Best result | Champions (2023–2025) |
|---|
|
| First ODI | v India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata; 10 November 1991 |
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| Last ODI | v New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore; 5 March 2025 |
|---|
| ODIs |
Played |
Won/Lost |
|---|
| Total |
686 |
415/244
(6 ties, 21 no results) |
|---|
| This year |
5 |
2/3
(0 ties, 0 no results) |
|---|
|
| World Cup appearances | 9 (first in 1992) |
|---|
| Best result | Semi-finals (1992, 1999, 2007, 2015, 2023) |
|---|
|
| First T20I | v New Zealand at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg; 21 October 2005 |
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| Last T20I | v Pakistan at Centurion Park, Centurion; 13 December 2024 |
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| T20Is |
Played |
Won/Lost |
|---|
| Total |
196 |
108/84
(1 ties, 3 no results) |
|---|
| This year |
0 |
0/0
(0 ties, 0 no results) |
|---|
|
| T20 World Cup appearances | 9 (first in 2007) |
|---|
| Best result | Runners-up (2024) |
|---|
| Official website | https://cricket.co.za/ |
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| As of 14 June 2025 |
The South Africa men's national cricket team, also known as the Proteas, represents South Africa in men's international cricket and is administered by Cricket South Africa. South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council. The team's nickname derives from South Africa's national flower, Protea cynaroides, commonly known as the "King Protea". South Africa are the current World Test Champions.
South Africa entered first-class and international cricket at the same time when they hosted an England cricket team in the 1888–89 season. Initially, the team was no match for Australia or England but, having gained experience and expertise, they were able to field a competitive team by the first decade of the 20th century. The team regularly played against Australia, England and New Zealand through to the 1960s, by which time there was considerable opposition to the country's apartheid policy. The ICC imposed an international ban on the team, commensurate with actions taken by other global sporting bodies. When the ban was imposed, South Africa had developed to a point where its team was arguably the best in the world, and even out-played Australia.
The ban remained in place until 1991, after which South Africa played against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies for the first time. The team has been strong since its reinstatement, and has at several times held the number-one positions in international rankings. South Africa is also one of the most successful teams in ODI cricket, winning more than 60 per cent of their matches. However, the 1998 Champions Trophy was its first success in ICC-organised limited-overs tournaments. South Africa won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in 1998. South Africa won the 2023–2025 ICC World Test Championship, beating Australia by 5 wickets in the final.
As of February 2025, the team is currently ranked 5th in ODIs, 2nd in Tests and 5th in T20Is.
