T20 cricket is the quickest and most exciting form of the game. Generally, things occur and change in no time in T20 cricket, which eventually gives it its thrill and excitement. However, there are instances when a team takes complete control over the game; for example, a huge partnership between two batters can steer the direction of the match in one's favour. Similarly, in this article, we look at some of South Africa's best and highest partnerships in the shortest form of the game.
1. 174* Runs Against India
The first partnership on our list is from the South Africa tour of India in 2022. It was the second T20I of the series played at Guwahati, and after winning the toss, South Africa put India in to bat first. The Indians set a target of 238 runs, and in reply, the Proteas could score only 221. Quinton de Kock and David Miller put up an unbeaten 174-run partnership for the fourth wicket.
2. 170 Runs Against England
The next partnership is from the 2009 England tour of South Africa. It was the second Twenty20 international of the series played at Centurion, and after winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first. They put 241 runs on the board, thanks to a 170-run opening partnership between Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith.
3. 168 Runs Against Bangladesh
The next partnership is from the 2022 T20I World Cup, which was played in Australia. The game was between South Africa and Bangladesh at Sydney, and after winning the toss, the Proteas elected to bat first. They scored 205 runs at the loss of five wickets, with Quinton de Kock and Riley Rossouw putting up a 168-run partnership for the second wicket.
4. 133* Runs Against New Zealand
The fourth partnership on our list is from the 2012 South African tour of New Zealand. In the second Twenty20I of the series at Hamilton, after winning the toss, South Africa chose to field first and restricted the Kiwis to 173 in their 20 overs. In the chase, South Africa scored 174 runs in their 16 overs, with Richard Levi and AB de Villiers scoring an unbeaten 133-run partnership for the third wicket.
5. 132* Runs Against Pakistan
The next partnership to appear on our list is from the 2007 Pakistan tour of South Africa. It was the tour's only T20I, and after winning the toss, the Proteas chose to field first. Pakistan could score 129 runs in their 20 overs. In reply, the South African team scored 132 runs in 11.3 overs at the loss of zero wickets, with Graeme Smith and Loots Bosman doing the task for the Proteas.
6. 131* Runs Against India
The sixth partnership on our list is from the 2022 South African tour of India. The match was played in Delhi, and after winning the toss, South Africa decided to field first. The Indians set a target of 212 runs for South Africa, and the Proteas chased the target convincingly with five balls to spare. Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller scored an unbeaten 131-run partnership.
7. 131 Runs Against Pakistan
The next partnership to feature on our list is from the 2019 Pakistan tour of South Africa. It was the first T20I of the series and was played in Cape Town. South Africa batted first and put 192 runs on the board. The second wicket partnership of Reeza Hendricks and Faf du Plessis scored 131 runs.
8. 129 Runs Against Australia
The eighth partnership on our list is from the 2014 South Africa tour of Australia. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, setting a 145-run target for the Proteas. The South African team chased the target in 19 overs, with Quinton de Kock and Riley Rossouw putting up a 129-run partnership for the second wicket.
9. 128 Runs Against West Indies
South Africa faced the West Indies in a 5-match T20I series in 2021. It was the fifth match of the series, and after winning the toss, South Africa opted to bat first and scored 168 runs at the loss of four wickets. Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram’s 128-run partnership scored the bulk of the runs for the Proteas.
10. 127* Runs Against England
The last partnership to appear on our list is from the 2020 England tour of South Africa. In the third T20I of the series, South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first, scoring 191 runs in their 20 overs. Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen put up an unbeaten 127-run partnership for the fourth wicket.