ODI World Cup 2023: South Africa’s strongest predicted playing XI for the tournament

South-Africa. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The ODI World Cup 2023 will give South Africa another chance to realize their long-standing dream. They have been one of the best teams in ODI cricket since their return to the international fold in 1992. But South Africa is yet to reach an ODI World Cup final. 

The ICC World Cup 2023 will begin on October 5 in India and will see 10 teams competing across 10 venues in 48 games for a chance to win the trophy. South Africa made it into the semi-finals in 1992, 1999, 2007, and 2015. But are yet to make it into the finals of the tournament even once. 

But this time they came with a renewed vigour and some good form behind them as they defeated Australia 3-2 despite losing the first two ODIs of the series. With this in mind, we have picked the best-playing XI of the Proteas for the 2023 World Cup.

Here is South Africa’s strongest predicted playing XI for the 2023 World Cup:

1. Quinton de Kock (WK)

Quinton de Kock (Photo Source: Twitter)

Quinton de Kock will be playing his final ODI World Cup as the keeper announced his retirement from the format at the end of the 2023 event in India. One of the finest batters in ODI cricket, the 31-year-old has played 145 ODIs, scoring 6176 runs with 17 centuries and a best score of 178. He averages 44.75 and has a strike rate of 95.75. 

Quinton de Kock is also very safe behind the stumps and has played in India quite a lot with the South African team and in the IPL. He has 450 runs in 17 World Cup matches with 4 fifties to his name. He will be tasked with giving South Africa quick starts in powerplay overs. Fans expect him to give it his full in his final outings in ODI. 

2. Temba Bavuma (c)

Temba Bavuma. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Temba Bavuma was a surprise choice as captain of the South African team in ODIs, given his poor strike rate in the early stages. But he has transformed himself quite well, as he has 1367 runs in 30 ODIs with 5 centuries and 4 fifties to his name. His strike rate is 91.07 and this is what the Proteas will look for, their captain leading from the front. 

3. Rassie van der Dussen

Rassie van der Dussen. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

Rassie van der Dussen is a naturally attacking batter. He brings both stability at the 3 spot and also the ability to continue the scoring rate if a good start is given by the openers. In 49 ODIs, he has 1874 runs with 4 centuries and 12 fifties. His highest score is 134 and he averages 54.78. 

These are quite a good number for someone, who started his international career quite late and only lately has begun to bat up the order. Van der Dussen is also apt against spinners which will come in handy for him on Indian pitches as South Africa will play on tracks like Lucknow, Delhi, and Chennai.

4. Aiden Markram

Aiden-Markram. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Aiden Markram is arguably the most talented batter in the South African team at the moment. He is also the vice-captain of the side. A genuine shot maker and aggressive from the start, Markram is held high in regards to his skills with the willow. In 55 ODIs, he has 1665 runs with 2 centuries and 7 fifties to his name. His highest score is 175 and his strike rate is 96.35. 

Markram is one of the new-gen Proteas cricketers and his influence on the team is infectious. He is always positive and the same is seen in his batting. He can be lethal against pace, and while he has his issues against spin, he tends to dominate the slow bowlers. He will be one to look out for in the South African team. 

5. Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen. (Photo Source: X/Twitter/Proteas)

What a year Heinrich Klaasen has been having for South Africa in 2023. In just 10 innings, he has 527 runs with 2 centuries to his name at a strike rate of 151.43. Overall, he has 1323 runs in 41 ODIs with 3 centuries and a strike rate of 111.64. One of the most devastating batters in world cricket at the moment, Klaasen will form a deadly partnership in death overs with the next man on this list.

6. David Miller

David Miller. (Photo Source: Disney+Hotstar)

The most experienced batter in the Proteas side, David Miller will be playing his 3rd World Cup. The left-hander has played 160 ODIs, scoring 4090 runs with 5 centuries and 23 fifties to his name. He averages 42.60 and has a strike rate of 103.33 in the 50-over games.

Miller is often considered to be one of the best finishers in ODI cricket and has often played blinders for South Africa. He recently slammed a 45-ball 82* against Australia in the Centurion ODI and followed it up with another fifty in Jo’burg to help the Proteas win the match and the series. He will be the one the opposition bowlers will fear the most.  

7. Andile Phehlukwayo

South African bowler Andile Phehlukwayo (L) celebrates the dismissal of Australian batsman John Hastings (R)(Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Andile Phehlukwayo got into the South African World Cup squad as an injury replacement for Sisanda Magala. Someone who has been around since 2016, Phehlukwayo has been a player who hasn’t hit the limelight yet. In 76 ODIs, he has 781 runs and has picked 89 wickets. He has scored 2 fifties and his best bowling has been 4/22. 

8. Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

The premier fast bowler for South Africa and one of the modern-day greats, Kagiso Rabada will lead the Proteas pace attack. The 28-year-old has been the life of the South African bowling since his debut in 2015. Thus far in 92 ODIs, Rabada has 144 wickets with a best of 6/16 at an economy of 5.06.

Rabada will be there to ensure South Africa gets early wickets and can bowl fast throughout his 10-over spell. He also has experience playing in India thanks to the Indian Premier League. This will come in handy for him in the World Cup as Temba Bavuma will need his support. 

9. Lungi Ngidi

Lungi Ngidi. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Lungi Ngidi has played 48 ODIs thus far and picked 78 wickets with a best of 6/58. He averages 27.60 and has an economy of 5.72. He is the best partner for Rabada with the new ball. He can swing the ball at a good pace and can bowl yorkers in death overs. While he has had injury concerns, no one can ignore Ngidi’s talent and habit of picking important wickets. 

10. Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi (Photo Source: Twitter)

Tabraiz Shamsi is the premier wicket-taker for South Africa in limited-overs cricket. The left-arm wrist-spinner is known for going for runs, but he gets South Africa important wickets. In 46 ODIs, Shamsi has 63 wickets with a best of 5/49 at an economy of 5.50. Shamsi will form a deadly pair with Keshav Maharaj on tracks where the ball will assist spinners and not many are well-equipped to play a left-arm wrist spinner.

11. Keshav Maharaj

Keshav Maharaj. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

Keshav Maharaj is a veteran of South African cricket. He recently recovered from a torn Achilles tendon and will be raring to go in the World Cup 2023. His recent outings against Australia at home brought him 8 wickets in 5 ODIs. Overall, Maharaj has 37 wickets in 31 ODIs with a best of 4/33 and an economy of 4.69. He knows how to keep the runs down and with some help from the surface, can be deadly as well.