The South African bowlers have always set high standards in the game of cricket. Having produced some fine cricketers, the nation is unfortunately yet to win a World Cup. the likes of Allan Donald, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, and Jacques Kallis are all products of this wonderful cricketing nation. A nation where the talent of cricket is available in abundance, South Africa has always been one of the most competitive nations. Many bowlers of the nation went down as one of the best in the history of the sport. The modern-day greats in the form of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen have revolutionized the art of pace bowling. The tall Proteas bowlers have redefined the art of pace bowling and in this article, we will write about the top 10 South African bowlers with the most wickets in the World Cups.
1. Imran Tahir
The former right-arm leg-spinner for South Africa was one of the best spinners in the game. His rhythmic action and perfect wrist position before releasing the ball were the key highlights of his tremendous spells. A wicket-taker in every situation, Tahir stepped up for his skipper when a breakthrough was needed the most. The leggie made his ODI debut against the West Indies in the 2011 ODI World Cup at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Having played 22 matches for his nation in the ODI World Cups, the bowler scalped 40 wickets which is the most by a South African in the ODI World Cups.
2. Allan Donald
Allan Donald was a former fast bowler for South Africa. He made his Odie debut against India in 1991 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Known as ‘the White Lightning,’ Donald was a wicket-taking bowler and showed his skills in the 1992 World Cup where he bamboozled every other batter with his zippy pace. Donald represented his nation in 25 World Cup matches and picked up 38 wickets. One of the best fast bowlers in South Africa, the right-arm bowler retired in 2003.
3. Shaun Pollock
Shaun Pollock was a former fast bowler and the skipper for South Africa. The right-arm fast bowler was among the best wicket-taking bowlers in the nation. Pollock made his ODI debut against England in 1996. A true leader in every sense, Pollock was one of the most capable skippers for South Africa. Also, a handy batter down the order, he was a very able batter who could dismantle any bowling line-up on his day. He took 31 wickets in 31 World Cup matches.
4. Morne Morkel
Morne Morkel was a former premier fast bowler for South Africa. The tall-right-arm bowler extracted pace and a lot of bounce. While in home conditions, the bowler was almost unplayable because of his perfect line and length. Morkel made his ODI debut against Asia XI while playing for Africa XI. Having played two ODI World Cups for South Africa, Morkel picked up 26 wickets in 14 games.
5. Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn is arguably one of the best fast bowlers ever to grace the game of cricket. His accurate outswingers and sheer pace were enough to put doubt in the batter’s mind. His white-ball record was as good as his test record. Steyn made his ODI debut against Asia XI while playing for Africa XI in 2005. Also, one of the best death bowlers, the South African pace sensation could bowl deadly yorkers. He played two ODI World Cups from 2011 to 2015 and ended up taking 23 wickets in 14 games.
6. Lance Klusener
The former right-arm fast-medium bowler and a handy left-handed batter down the order was one of the best South African all-rounders. The cricketer was born in Durban in 1971 and made his ODI debut against England in 1996. He was one of the hardest hitters of the ball and enjoyed his batting at the back end of the innings. Klusener played fourteen World Cup matches and took 22 wickets with best figures of 5/21.
7. Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is among the modern-day great bowlers across formats. The right-arm fast bowler has established himself as one of the best pacers in the history of cricket. With a lot of maturity in his early days in the international arena, Rabada has bowled many magical and match-winning spells for his nation. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2015 and has been a regular inclusion in the squad ever since. the bowler is currently playing his second ODI World Cup and has taken 21 wickets in 15 matches already.
8. Jacques Kallis
The best all-rounder ever to play the sport, Jacques Kallis was a former South African right-handed top-order batter and a right-arm medium-pacer as well. His ability to perform equally well in all the departments of the game made him one of the most complete cricketers ever. The all-rounder made his ODI debut against England in 1996 and made himself an important asset to the team. Kallis played 36 World Cup games and scalped 21 wickets with the best figures of 3/26.
9. Andrew Hall
Andrew Hall was a former all-rounder for South Africa. He was a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a right-handed batter. The cricketer was one of the finest fast-bowling all-rounders. Since the nation is known for producing some fine fast-bowling all-rounders, Hall set some high standards for the generation to follow. He made his ODI debut against the West Indies in 1999. The fast-bowling all-rounder represented his nation in twelve World Cup matches and picked up 19 wickets with the best figures of 5/18.
10. Brian McMillan
Another fast-bowling all-rounder, Brian McMillan, was a right-handed batter and a right-arm fast-medium South African bowler. The 59-year-old former cricketer made his ODI debut for South Africa against India in 1991 at the Eden Gardens. He was more than just a useful batter and was among the best all-rounders in the sport in the 1990s. He represented his nation in 15 World Cup games and scalped 17 wickets with the best figures of 3/11. The player announced his retirement in 1998.
