From setting many records and eventually breaking them, they have always caught the eyeballs of cricket lovers. With ruthless and dangerous players playing in their side, they have posted relatively high totals in the one-day internationals.So, let's see the top 10 highest ODI totals of South Africa in ODIs.
1. 439/2 vs. West Indies (Johannesburg, 18th January 2015)
It was the 2nd ODI between South Africa and West Indies. Batting first, South Africa scored 439 runs with the help of just three batters. Hashim Amla with 153 and Rossouw with 128 scored 247 runs for the first wicket. After that, it was all the Ab de Villiers show as he scored the fastest century in one-day internationals beating the record of Corey Anderson. With the help of 9 fours and 16 sixes, de Villiers scored 149 runs off just 44 balls. It was an innings of the class by him. It was the first instance where three batters scored a century in an ODI innings.In reply, West Indies managed to score 291 runs, eventually falling short of the mammoth target by 148 runs. AB de Villiers was the man of the match for his memorable knock.
2. 438/9 vs. Australia (Johannesburg, 12th March 2006)
This ODI match is arguably the most incredible one day match ever played. Australia scored a mammoth 438 runs by the half centuries of Gilchrist, Katich and Hussey and a stellar performance by Ricky Ponting, scoring 164 runs off 105 balls with 13 fours and nine sixes. The target was almost impossible to achieve but, Graeme Smith and Herschel Gibbs were on a different mission as they scored 187 runs between them followed by a crucial 50 by Mark Boucher.In the end, it all came down to the wire and, South Africa pulled off an impossible victory at the wanderers. This chase to date remains the highest successful runs chase by any team in one-day internationals. Ricky Ponting and Herschel Gibbs were named as man of the match for their stellar performance in the match.
3. 438/4 vs. India (Mumbai, 25th October 2015)
The series was level 2-2, and the 5th ODI at Mumbai was the series decider.South Africa opted to bat, and with the centuries of De Kock, Faf Du Plessis, and Ab de Villiers, they scored a monstrous total of 438 runs. It was the second instance where three batters scored a century in an ODI inning.The Indian team was never really in the chase and was bowled out for just 224 runs, resulting in South Africa winning the match by 214 runs and the series by 3-2.
4. 418/5 vs. Zimbabwe (Potchefstroom, 20th September 2006)
South Africa piled up a huge score of 418 runs with a run rate of 8.36 in the third ODI match against Zimbabwe.The limelight of the match was the knock of Mark Boucher as he scored 147 runs off 68 deliveries with ten sixes and a strike rate of 216. Top order also chipped in with crucial half-centuries. South Africa won the game by 171 runs.
5. 411/4 vs. Ireland (Canberra, 3rd March 2015)
In the 24th match of the ICC CWC 2015, 411 runs were scored by the South African team with the centuries of Hashim Amla and Faf Du Plessis. It was twice in the same world cup where they scored 400+ in an innings. Ireland wasn’t good enough to chase the target and lost the match by 201 runs. Scoring a match-winning 159 runs off 128 balls, Hashim Amla was named as player of the game.
6. 408/5 vs. West Indies (Sydney, 27th February 2015)
South Africa faced West Indies in the crucial group B match in the ICC CWC 2015. It was an Ab De Villiers masterclass; he scored 162 runs off 66 balls with 17 fours and eight sixes. Top-order also made contributions with vital fifties. Sixty runs were scored off the last two overs by Mr. 360, and he was adjudged as man of the match.
7. 399/6 vs. Zimbabwe (Benoni, 22nd October 2010)
In the 3rd ODI played between Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2010, South Africa won the toss and opted to bat first. Their decision was spot on as they went on to score one run short of a mammoth 400.De Villiers and JP Duminy scored tons, and other batters also gave small contributions.It was an easy task for South Africa, and they won the game by 272 runs. JP Duminy was the man of the match.
8. 392/6 vs. Pakistan (Centurion, 4th February 2007)
In the opener of the ODI series vs. pakistan in 2007, South Africa batting first scored an enormous total of 392 runs. De Villiers and Graeme Smith took charge in the opening, followed by Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher. In return, Pakistan didn't last too long and lost by a massive margin of 164 runs. With a vital contribution of 88 runs and three wickets, Jacques Kallis was named as man of the match.
9. 384/6 vs. Sri Lanka (Centurion, 10th February 2017)
South Africa was 4-nil up in the series vs. SL and looked to whitewash the series in the last ODI. Batting first, they scored a mammoth total of 384 runs with the centuries of Quinton De Kock(109 runs off 87 balls) and Hashim Amla(154 runs off 134 balls). In return, Sri Lanka couldn't achieve the target, and the hosts won the match by 88 runs. Hashim Amla was named as player of the match for his match-winning century.
10. 372/6 vs. Australia (Durban, 5th October 2016)
With the centuries of Smith and Warner, Australia posted a humongous total in the first innings- 371/6. South Africa started very well in the first 20 overs, but a slight collapse in the middle overs slowed down the scoring rate, but David Miller had other plans as he scored a match-winning 118 off 79 balls with ten fours and six sixes. South Africa sealed the series 3-0 by chasing the target with four balls to spare.
