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The Proteas
About the national South African Cricket Team,
from Springboks to Proteas
The South African cricket team is regarded as one
of the strongest national cricket teams in the world of cricket. Named after South Africa’s national
flower the King Protea, they are known as the Proteas since 1991, before that, in the era of
apartheid, we knew them as the Springbok national cricket team.
The governing body for professional and amateur cricket in South Africa used to be the United
Cricket Board of South Africa. Its new name since 1991 is Cricket South Africa. South Africa is a
full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status.
After their return in international cricket the Proteas quickly reputation as a superb fielding
outfit, a reputation soon backed up by their bowling attack and, after some more time, their
batting line-up.
South African batsman Gary Kirsten (now retired) in action
South Africa cricket - copyright © South African tourism
With the emergence of the new South Africa the Proteas were in a position to expand their list of traditional rivals, Australia, England and
New Zealand, to include India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the West Indies and Zimbabwe.
South African bowler Makhaya Ntini in action
South Africa cricket - copyright © South African tourism
During the era of the new South Africa up to now a total of 67 players have been capped by Cricket South Africa at Test match level, 96 at One Day
International level and 35 in the new Pro20 format. The captains at the helm for most of this period were Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock and currently
Graeme Smith.
One day cricket match between Australia and South Africa
South Africa cricket
The success consistency of the Proteas shows in the fact that since their re-entry they have reached the semi-finals three times and the quarter
finals once in the five World Cups they have competed in. Their winning percentage is high, well into the 60s in ODI cricket and a healthy 48
percent in Test match cricket.
South African batsman Jonty Rhodes (now retired) sweeps another boundary against New Zealand
South African cricket - copyright © South African tourism
Since re-admission to the ICC the Proteas have consistently ranked in the top three in the world in both the One-Day and Test forms of the game.
Today, together with Australia, they are in a league of their own as far as their performance in international Test and One Day International
cricket is concerned.
South African allrounder Lance Klusener bowls against Kenya
South Africa cricket - copyright © South African tourism
Currently the International Cricket Council is ranking South Africa as number 1 in One Day cricket and as number 2 in Test cricket, putting them
on a par with the Australians, who are ranked number 1 in Test cricket and number 2 in One Day cricket. In Twenty20 cricket South Africa is ranked
as number 1 and Australia as number 6
South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher takes a catch to dismiss the Sri Lanka batsman
South African cricket - copyright © South African tourism
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The Proteas
