These are the ones who gave their best but have never been highlighted enough and never got enough chances to showcase their talent. Many talented cricketers had done so much for the country but did not get enough praise and couldn't even secure their place in the team. Also, they could have glorified more but got overshadowed or suppressed by their fellow teammates or due to some extraordinary performances of their teammates. Here, given below are the names of those top 10 underrated South African cricketers:
1. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is a South African fast bowler who has stolen the limelight many times. He was even compared to Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. He came into the spotlight during the U-19 World Cup 2014 and ended up as second highest wicket-taker. He had made unbelievable records at a very young age. He took a hat-trick on his ODI debut and recorded his career-best figures of 13-144 in a Test against England in 2016, and he is also the only bowler of South Africa to take 10-wicket haul in a test match.
2. Tabraiz Shamsi
Tabraiz Shamsi is a left-arm spin bowler known for the variations he brings in his bowling and his unique celebrations after every wicket. He played fabulous games in franchise cricket, and as a result, he was selected for the national team. He made his ODI debut in a triangular series in the Caribbean in July 2016, and in the same year, he also made his test debut against Australia. But he couldn't secure his spot in the national team because of wrist-spinner Imran Tahir and got dropped many times from the group.
3. Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi is a South African fast bowler. He debuted on 7 February 2018 against India and impressed everyone with his outstanding performance. However, due to his injuries, he was dropped several times from the team. Despite all this, he always played well whenever given a chance for South Africa. He was awarded as one of the five cricketers of the year in 2018 at the South Africa Annual Awards. He and Kagiso Rabada form the crux of the South African pace bowling attack.
4. Vernon Philander
Vernon Philander is a South African all-rounder primarily known for his swing bowling. He is one of those bowlers with the power to inswing and outswing the ball. One of his specialties is maintaining fast speed and stump-to-stump bowling throughout his spell. He made a remarkable ODI debut against Ireland in 2007 by picking up four wickets but didn't get many chances to play in ODI and T20 formats. He made his Test debut on 9 November 2011 against Australia. In the first five months of test cricket, he took 50 wickets in just seven matches and became the second-fastest in Test cricket.
5. Andile Phehlukwayo
Andile Lucky Phehlukwayo is a South African bowling all-rounder. In 2014, he was selected for South Africa U-19 World Cup but got the chance to play in one match only. He debuted for South Africa in September 2016 against Ireland. In his second ODI series, he was the leading wicket-taker and was also known as a death-over specialist. He played 75 ODIs and scored 839 runs in 49 innings. Despite all this, he was dropped many times from the team.
6. Rassie Van Der Dussen
Hendrik Erasmus ``Rassie” van der dussen is a top order batsman. He came into highlight when he scored 76 runs against New Zealand in a tour match in 2012. He made his ODI debut against Pakistan in January 2019 and scored 93 runs. He was named International Men's Newcomer of the Year in 2019. In the annual ICC awards in January 2022, his name was present in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2021, even after doing all that, he was unable to gather attention.
7. Albie Morkel
Albie Morkel is a former South African all-rounder known for his aggressive batting in death overs. He impressed everyone with his bowling in first-class cricket but failed to make the same impact at international level. However, his batting has improved as he made a double century (204*) against Western Province Boland. He got dropped from the national team, which has opened the doors for other players.
8. Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar is a South African left-handed opening batsman who is known for his fearless batting style. He is one of the most consistent players and emerged as a pillar for South Africa. Dean Elgar is one of the most underrated openers. Even after his many outstanding performances, he is not sufficiently appreciated, or we can say that he did not get that much limelight.
9. Makhaya Ntini
Makhaya Ntini is a former South African right-arm fast bowler. He was the first black man to play in South Africa's national team. He made his ODI debut in January 1998 against New Zealand, and after two months, he made his Test debut. His career could end in early 1999 as he was accused of rape but he was proved innocent and South Africa's cricket board stood by him in the matter and didn't drop him from the team. He has taken 22 five-wicket hauls in his career but no one talks about it that much.
10. Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is a former South African right-arm fast bowler known for his world-class bowling performances. He debuted for South Africa in test cricket on 17 December 2004 against England at 21. He gave many outstanding performances and made lots of records in his name. He was South Africa's all-time highest wicket-taker in test cricket. Even after these fabulous performances, he got dropped many times from the team, and the management didn't show enough trust in him. He also got criticized many times for his performance in the IPL.
