Highest Run Chase in ODI by South Africa

ODI: In all three formats, South Africa has been one of the best teams in cricket. They have always played tough cricket, which is why they are known as the Proteas. Over the years, South Africa has been placed among the top teams in this game and has been a consistent performer in the games.

With such a history in the game, this team has given some of the most unbelievable memories in cricket. One of the best was the highest chase in the history of ODI cricket. In ODIs, South Africa holds the record of chasing the highest. Well, there are more such chases they have done in this format. So, in this article, we will discuss the top run chases by South Africa in the ODI format.

3. South Africa (328/3) against Australia at Harare

All three of the highest chases for South Africa have come against Australia in ODI cricket. The third highest chase came in Harare on August 27, 2014. It was a tri-series, including Australia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. After winning the toss, the Proteas chose to bowl and invited Australia to bat. Aaron Finch gave the Men in Yellow a good start and scored his century. He made 102 runs and added 92 runs with Late. Philip Hughes (52) for the first wicket.

Australia scored 327/7 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, South Africa lost their first two wickets for just 51 runs. But after that, there were two centuries. Faf du Plessis made 106 off 98 balls. Skipper AB de Villiers scored an unbeaten century and made 136* off 106 to help his team to chase the target. South Africa made 328/3 in 46.4 overs and won the match.

2. South Africa (372/6) against Australia at Durban

The second highest chase for South Africa and for any team also came against Australia at Durban on October 05, 2016. It was the third ODI match of the five-match series. It was Australia who won the toss and chose to bat. Australia started really well and made 110 runs for the first wicket and another 124-run stand for the second wicket. David Warner scored 117 runs off 107 balls, while skipper Steve Smith made 108 runs. 

As a result, Australia made 371/6 in their 50 overs. Chasing the target, South Africa had few good partnerships in the middle. Quinton de Kock scored 70 runs off 49 balls to give a good start. But David Miller, in the end, held the innings and scored an unbeaten 118* runs off 79 balls. South Africa chased down the target of 372/6 runs in 49.2 overs.

1. South Africa (438/9) against Australia (Highest chase by any team in ODI)

The highest ever chase in the history of ODI cricket is in the name of South Africa. It happened in Johannesburg during the series decider of a five-match ODI series between South Africa and Australia. Batting first, Australia broke all records and scored 434/4 in their 50 overs. Skipper Ricky Ponting scored 164 runs off 105 balls, and three other batters scored fifty. This was the first time that any team crossed the 400-run mark.

It was an impossible task for the Proteas to chase such a mammoth target. But what happened next was just a miracle. The whole cricket world watched the way South Africa went into business, led by Herschelle Gibbs. He, along with skipper Greame Smith (90), kept their team in the chase. Gibbs scored 175 runs off 111 balls. However, Mark Boucher finished unbeaten at 50* off 43 to write history. South Africa won on the second last ball and made 438/9 to win the match by one wicket. 

List of Highest Run Chase in ODI by South Africa

Team Wise Highest Run chase in ODI