South Africa has been one of the toughest teams when it comes to any format of cricket. But they are also the most unfortunate team when it comes to the ICC tournaments, whether it is the ODI World Cup or the T20I World Cup. Speaking of T20I history, the Proteas have produced some of the best hitters in the game.
AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Herschelle Gibbs, Graeme Smith, and Faf du Plessis are some of the best white ball players. So, with such strong batting options over the years, they also have some of the best batting records. In this article, we will discuss the list of highest partnerships for South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup.
3. Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith (97 runs) against India in 2010 T20 World Cup
It was the 5th match from Group C between India and South Africa in the 2010 World Cup at Gros Islet. After winning the toss, South Africa chose to bowl first. They had a pretty decent start and took India’s first two wickets early. But it was Suresh Raina, who came at No. 3 and played a brilliant knock. Raina scored India’s first and only century in the T20I World Cup.
He scored 101 off 60 balls and helped India reach a total of 186/5. Chasing the target, South Africa began well. After the loss of the first wicket, Jacques Kallis (73) and Graeme Smith (36) added 97 runs for the second wicket. But in the end, they couldn’t chase down the target and ended the innings at 172/5. As a result, India won the match by 14 runs.
2. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram (103* runs) against England in 2021 ICC T20 event
In the World Cup, South Africa has only crossed the 100-run partnership twice. Their second highest partnership came in the last World Cup in a match against England at Sharjah. After winning the toss, England decided to bowl first. After losing the first wicket early, South Africa had a good partnership for the third wicket. Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram added an unbeaten partnership of 103* runs for the third wicket.
South Africa posted a score of 189/2 in their 20 overs. Van der Dussen scored 94* off 60 and Markram scored 52* off 25 balls. Chasing the target, a few English players also had a start but couldn’t carry on till the end. Eventually, England fell short by 10 runs and lost the match.
1. Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp (120* runs) against West Indies in 2007 T20 World Cup
The very first match of the first ever T201 World Cup in 2007 took place between South Africa and West Indies at Johannesburg. This match broke a number of records. Batting first, West Indies scored a massive total of 205/6 in their 20 overs. Chris Gayle struck the first ever World Cup century and added 145 runs with Devon Smith (35). Gayle scored 117 runs off 57 balls.
Chasing the big target, South Africa went into business and added some quick runs. But they lost their first two wickets at 88. However, after that, the partnership of 120* runs between Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp just took the game away from the West Indies, and South Africa chased down the target in just 17.4 overs. Gibbs was unbeaten on 90* off 55 balls and Kemp was not out on 46* off 22 balls.
List of Highest Partnership in T20 World Cup by South Africa
| Players | Runs | Wkt | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herschelle Gibbs and Justin Kemp | 120* | 3rd | West Indies | Johannesburg | 2007 |
| Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram | 103* | 3rd | England | Sharjah | 2021 |
| Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith | 97 | 2nd | India | Gros Islet | 2010 |
| Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock | 96 | 1st | England | Wankhede | 2016 |
| Richard Levi and Hashim Amla | 94* | 1st | Zimbabwe | Hambantota | 2012 |
| Hashim Amla and Quinton De Kock | 90 | 1st | England | Chattogram | 2014 |
| Greame Smith and Jacques Kallis | 87 | 1st | Scotland | The Oval | 2009 |
| Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram | 83* | 3rd | West Indies | Dubai (DSC) | 2021 |
| AB de Villiers and JP Duminy | 76 | 4th | Afghanistan | Wankhede | 2016 |
| Jacques Kallis and Herschelle Gibbs | 74 | 2nd | England | Nottingham | 2009 |