South Africa's Strongest Playing XI To Have Played In The IPL

South Africa has been one of the teams that have actively participated in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years. Several renowned Protan players have graced their presence in the league and played key roles for their franchises. Names like AB De Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Kagiso Rabada, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, David Miller have been absolute matchwinners for the teams they have represented.

In this article, we choose the strongest Proteas players to have played in the IPL in its 14-year long history.

South Africa’s Strongest Playing XI To Have Played In The IPL

Graeme Smith

The former Proteas skipper played four seasons for Rajasthan Royals. He was also a member of the squad that won the IPL title back in 2008. The classy left-hander was one of the first South African players to be picked in the IPL. He last played for the Royals back in 2011.

Matches -29 Runs- 739 Avg-28.42 S/R- 110.62

Quinton de Kock (WK)

De Kock made his IPL debut back in 2013 for Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the next eight years, he has played for a number of franchises. He joined Delhi Daredevils in 2014 and stayed there till 2017. Then RCB picked him in 2018 but released him next year. He has been with Mumbai Indians since 2019 and has been a constant in the playing XI.

Matches- 72 Runs-2114 Avg- 31.55 S/R- 132.20
Catches- 51 Stumpings-14

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Jacques Kallis

Kallis was one of the best number three’s in the IPL to have ever played the league. The former all-rounder represented two teams in the IPL. He played for RCB ( 2008-2010) and for KKR (2011-2014). He won the second IPL title with KKR in 2014 and then retired from the tournament. He was then roped in by the KKR management as batting coach in 2015. He was there with the team till 2018.

Matches- 98 Runs- 2427 Avg-28.55 S/R-109.22 Wickets- 65

AB De Villiers (C)

He is the only Protean player to have played in all 14 seasons of the IPL. He was a part of Delhi Daredevils from 2008-2011. Since 2011 he has been playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and has been a constant in the playing XI. He was a part of the squad that made the finals in 2011 and 2016. He will lead the Proteas XI.

Matches- 176 Runs- 5056 Avg- 40.77 S/R-152.38

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David Miller

Matches- 86 Runs-1952 Avg-33.65 S/R-138.14

Albie Morkel

Morkel was one of the best all-rounders to have played in the IPL. Though he played for as many as four teams, his best game for the Chennai Super Kings where he played from 2008-2013. He is best remembered for hitting Virat Kohli for runs off his over which helped CSK chase down 206 in Chennai.

Such exploits with the bat and his useful bowling gained him immense popularity and recognition and made him a household name among CSK fans. He won two IPL titles with the Yellow Army in 2010 and 2011. He is one of the all-rounders in this Proteas XI.

Matches- 91 Runs-974 Avg 24.35 S/R- 141.98 Wickets- 85

Chris Morris

Morris made his IPL debut with CSK debut with CSK in 2013 and has already played for four teams. He had short stints with every team he has played for. He is currently playing for Rajasthan Royals who roped him in for a hefty price of 16.25 crores. His best came for Delhi Daredevils in 2016. He is the other designated all-rounder in this Proteas lineup.

Matches- 77 Runs- 599 Avg- 23.96 S/R- 157.63 Wickets- 94

Morne Morkel

Albie’s younger brother Morne played for two IPL franchises, Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders. He won an IPL title with KKR back in 2014 which was KKR’s second. His best came with Delhi in 2012 when he picked 25 wickets which were by far his best IPL season.

Matches-70 Wickets-77 Economy-7.69 S/R 21.15

Dale Steyn

Injuries have played a part in hindering Steyn’s career over the years. He has missed and pulled out of several IPL seasons due to injuries. He made his debut with RCB back in 2008 and has played for one more team apart from the two-time IPL finalists. He played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Gujarat Lions formerly as well. His best came with the Virat Kohli led-side.

Matches- 95 Wickets-97 Economy- 6.91 S/R- 22.43

Imran Tahir

The Proteas leg spinner made his debut in the tournament with Delhi Daredevils back in 2014. He was released in 2016 after which he joined Rising Pune Supergiant in 2017. Since 2018, Tahir has been a part of CSK and has been one of MS Dhoni’s most trusted allies.

Matches- 59 Wickets- 82 Economy- 7.76 S/R- 16.04

Kagiso Rabada

The 25-year-old has been playing for Delhi Capitals since 2017. He missed the 2018 season due to national commitments and has taken over 50 wickets in the last two seasons. Hw won the Purple cap last year and with Anrich Nortje picked over 50 wickets together. This completes the best Proteas XI to have ever played the IPL.

Matches- 42 Wickets-69 Economy- 8.32, S/R- 13.91

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