Popularly known as The Proteas, the South African Cricket Team is one of the stronger teams of the world. This cricket team is administrated by Cricket South Africa. The South African cricket team is a full member of the International Cricket Council with participation is test and one day matches.

South Africa is currently ranked 2nd in one day internationals according to ICC ratings. South Africa has not won a single major tournament so far; in fact it has the uncanny knack of doing everything right till the final, before finally losing out steam. In spite of such failings, no one has any doubts about South Africa supremacy, next to Australia, in world cricket.

South Africa started its World Cup campaign in 1992. Since then it has reached semi-final twice and is yet to win the world cup.





Herschelle Gibbs is an attacking batsman and a brilliant one on his day. Australians will not forget in hurry Herschelle Gibbs' onslaught against them in the historic one-day in Johannesburg, where he guided South Africa to victory with 111-ball 175. Jacques Kallis is one of the best all-rounders in business. A lot of South Africa's fortunes will be resting on the broad shoulders of this gifted player. Shaun Pollock has to lead the new ball bowling attack with Makhaya Ntini, who too is an impressive seamer. The former, being more experienced and accurate will be expected to provide early breakthroughs to the South African side.

It was simply the clash of the titans when Australia came to South Africa for a series against them in February 2006. The ODIs, as expected, were evenly contested and ended 3-2 in the favor of the hosts. The Australians swept the tests matches, much to the disappointment of the home crowd. The tests debacle notwithstanding, the ODI results showed that, if at all, only a thin margin separates the one-day sides of Australia and South Africa.





Due to some unfortunate reasons of grave security concerns, South Africa pulled out of the tri-series in Sri Lanka. India was to be the third team in the tournament. The tri series, which ultimately got called of, would have been an acid-test for the South African side, where its ability to adapt under different conditions would have been sorely tested.

South Africa has lost venom in its play after the 2003 world cup. Authorities should be working hard to find new talent and induct them as soon as possible. Though South African team has not won any world cup, it has posted superb challenges to the opposing teams. South African side abounds in talent, what they could do with more is a little bit of luck. South Africa is the only side that has been beating the Australian side consistently and looks the most likely of the teams to quash Australia's hopes of winning the world cup thrice in a row.