All-time South Africa IPL XI

The Indian Premier League, hosted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is renowned as the most popular and richest cricket league across the globe. IPL features players from all over the world coming together to play for different franchises in the T20 competition. Whenever someone talks about overseas players in IPL, players hailing from South Africa often make headlines.A handful of Proteas players have made a special name for themselves in the Indian league owing to their sensational performances over the years.

In this article, we look at the South Africa’s strongest playing XI to have played in the Indian Premier League

Quinton de Kock (wk)

It is no surprise that Quinton de Kock makes it to the playing XI as the opening batsman and the first-choice wicketkeeper. The 28-year-old continues to be an integral part of the T20 league as he now plies his trade for defending champions Mumbai Indians. So far, de Kock has featured in a whopping 72 IPL matches scoring 2114 runs at a strike rate of 132.2. 

Faf du Plessis

South Africa’s other opening batsman Faf du Plessis forms an integral part of the three-time champion Chennai Super Kings. Du Plessis has been phenomenal in the Indian Premier League so far. The opening batsman has accumulated a stunning 2622 runs in 91 games at a strike rate of 131.0.

Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis will always be remembered as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time to ever play the gentleman’s game. Kallis’ ability to hammer the opposition with the ball along with being a part-time seamer made him a superstar in the IPL. In his IPL career of seven years, the all-rounder played 98 matches for teams like Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore. He has 2427 IPL runs and 89 wickets to his credit. 

AB de Villiers 

AB de Villiers is a name that needs no introduction in the cricket fraternity. Hailed as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, de Villiers is loved by almost all the cricket fans in India. Over the years, AB has successfully established himself as a lynchpin for the IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore. The 37-year-old has proved to be a nightmare for the opposition bowlers on a number of occasions. 

David Miller 

Another batting stalwart from South Africa, David Miller has also been successful in stamping his authority over the 22-yard pitch in IPL. Miller was at his peak in the Indian Premier League during the 2013 edition as he steered his franchise Punjab to victory on a number of occasions. The middle-order batter has amassed 1952 runs in 86 games at a terrific strike rate of 138.15. 

Albie Morkel

The Proteas all-rounder Albie Morkel kickstarted his journey in the T20 Championship with MS Dhoni-led side Chennai Super Kings. The South Africa star proved to be a vital player for the Super Kings on more than one occasion. With 974 runs and 85 wickets, Morkel managed to find a place for himself in the all-time South Africa IPL XI. 

Chris Morris

Chris Morris’ injury has kept him in and out of the Indian Premier League. Through the course of his IPL career, the all-rounder has donned the jersey of the teams like Chennai Super Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Rajasthan Royals. Morris holds the reputation of being the costliest overseas player in the history of the league. The Proteas has 599 runs to his credit at a strike rate of 157.63 along with 94 wickets in 77 games. 

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada made his debut in the Indian Premier League during the 2017 edition for Delhi Capitals. The seamer showed signs of brilliance early in his IPL career as he is one of the reasons behind the Delhi Capitals’ unprecedented success in recent years. The Proteas seamer is capable of rattling the opposition batter both with the new ball and in the death overs. Rabada has so far played 42 IPL matches picking 69 wickets. 

Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir is the living example of the saying that age is just the number. Tahir holds the record of being the only overseas player to have bagged the purple cap in the T20 Championship. Tahir has played 59 matches and grabbed 82 wickets with the best figures of 4/12. During the 2019 edition, Imrah grabbed 26 wickets, the most scalps by a spinner in a single IPL campaign to almost drive CSK to their fourth title. 

Anrich Nortje

Coming as a replacement for Chris Woakes in the Delhi Capitals camp for IPL 2021, Anrich Nortje left the entire cricket fraternity in awe with his raw pace and swing. After playing just 16 games, Nortje is counted as one of the best active seamers in the Indian league. The right-arm seamer has played 16 games, picking 22 wickets at an average of 23.3. 

Dale Steyn 

There can be no one better than Dale Steyn to cap off the bowling attack in all-time South Africa IPL XI. Though Steyn’s career in the Indian Premier League didn’t meet a good end, the seamer is best remembered for his dream spells before IPL 2020. Playing for teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers, Steyn scalped an impressive 97 wickets in 95 matches.

Also Read: All-time Australia IPL XI