The sheer dominance of the African bowling attack in test cricket is known to all. South Africa has some of the greatest pace bowlers who have taken wickets on every soil. Ever since the return of South Africa to international cricket in 1991, the team has produced many bowlers to go past 100+ test wickets. Some of them have taken their best bowling figures in a match to achieve greatness. The article talks about the top 10 bowling figures in the South African team.
1. M Ntini
Makhaya Ntini is a right-arm fast bowler in the South African cricket team. He started his career in 1998 against Sri Lanka and was the first black cricketer in the South African cricket team. He was the first to take ten wickets on Lord’s in 2003. The batsman played 101 matches and took 390 wickets in 190 innings with an average of 28.82. On 8 April 2005, he took his carrier best against the West Indies in Port of Spain. Ntini took 13 wickets, bowled 47.5 overs, and gave 132 runs with an economy of 2.75. He retired in 2009.
2. K Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is a right-arm fast bowler and started his career in 2015 against India. This young player is the only active cricketer in the top 10 test wicket-takers. He regularly bowls at 140-150 kph. He has played 47 matches taking 213 wickets in 86 innings with an average of 22.75. The batsman took his career-best on 22 January 2016 against England in Centurion. He took 13 wickets, bowled 39.4 overs, and gave 144 runs at an economy of 3.63.
3. Hj Tayfield
Hugh Joseph Tayfeild is a former right-arm batter and right-arm off-break bowler in the South African cricket team. He started his career in 1949 against Australia. He is considered one of the greatest off-spinner that cricket has ever produced. Tayfield played 37 matches took 170 wickets in 61 innings with an average of 25.91. The batsman is 3rd on the list taking 13 wickets against Australia in Melbourne on 24 December 1952. He bowled 66.5 overs with eight balls each, gave 165 runs, and took 13 wickets with an economy of 1.85. He retired in 1960.
4. Sj Snooke
Sibley John Snooke was a right-arm fast-medium bowler who started his career in 1906 against England. The batsman took his career-best on 10 March 1906 against England in Johannesburg. He took 12 wickets in 53 overs and gave 127 runs at an economy of 2.39. He retired in 1923.
5. Aa Donald
Allan Anthony Donald is a right-arm fast bowler. He started his career in 1992 against West Indies. The credit for making the South African team successful in the modern era goes to him. He played 72 matches and took 330 wickets in 129 innings. His average was 22.25. Donald took his career-best on 26 December 1992 and took 12 wickets against India in Port Elizabeth. He bowled 55 overs and gave 139 runs at an economy of 2.52. He retired in 2002.
6. Aae Vogler
Albert Edward Earnest Vogler was a right-arm fast-medium and leg-break googly bowler. He started his career in 1906 against England. Vogler took his career-best on 1 January 1910 against England in Johannesburg. He took 12 wickets in 52.1 overs and gave 181 runs with an economy of 3.45. He retired in 1911.
7. Ka Maharaj
Keshav Athmanand Maharaj is a slow left-arm orthodox who started his career in 2016 against Australia. Maharaj took his career-best on 20 July 2018 against Sri Lanka in Colombo. He took 12 wickets, bowled 81.1, and gave 283 runs with an economy of 3.48.
8. Dw Steyn
Dale Willem Steyn is a former right-arm fast bowler in the South African cricket team. He started his career in 2004 against England and took 439 wickets in 171 innings, playing 93 test matches with an outstanding average of 22.95. The batsman took his career-best on 1 February 2013 against Pakistan in Johannesburg. The batsman took 11 wickets, bowled 36.5 overs, and gave 60 runs with an economy of 1.62. He was the number one bowler for almost six years. Steyn retired in 2019.
9. D Olivier
Duanne Olivier is a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He started his career in 2017 against Sri Lanka and took his career-best on 26 December 2018 against Pakistan in Centurion. He took 11 wickets, bowled 29 overs, and gave 96 runs with an economy of 3.31.
10. Ep Nupen
Eiulf Peter Nupen is a right-hand batter and a right-arm fast-medium bowler in the South African cricket team. On 24 December 1930, in a match against England, he made a record for taking 11 wickets in 51.4 overs. His innings comprised 151 runs and four maiden overs with an economy of 2.90. The venue for the match was Johannesburg.