South Africa played their first ODI game on November 10, 1991, against India at the Eden Gardens. And they achieved the No. 1 ODI ranking in 1996. And since then, they’ve become a really strong team in the 50-over format. Although, the history suggests that South Africa hasn’t won any major ICC tournament, like ODI World Cup or T20 World Cup.
But they are a really hard team to beat on the cricket field. Over the years, many legendary batters have come from his country that went on to play at the highest level. However, this article will feature some of the biggest partnerships for South Africa in ODI cricket for the opening stand. So let’s check.
Highest Opening Partnership in ODI by South Africa
| Pair | Runs | Against | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla | 282 | Bangladesh | Kimberley | 15 Oct 2017 |
| Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw | 247 | West Indies | Johannesburg | 18 Jan 2015 |
| Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla | 239 | England | Centurion | 9 Feb 2016 |
| Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs | 235 | India | Kochi | 9 Mar 2000 |
| Quinton de Kock and Janeman Malan | 225 | Ireland | Dublin (Malahide) | 16 Jul 2021 |
| Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla | 194 | India | Durban | 8 Dec 2013 |
| Gary Kirsten and Mike Rindel | 190 | Pakistan | Johannesburg | 12 Jan 1995 |
| Andrew Hall and Graeme Smith | 189* | India | Eden Gardens | 25 Nov 2005 |
| Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla | 187 | Sri Lanka | Centurion | 10 Feb 2017 |
| Gary Kirsten and Andrew Hudson | 186 | Netherlands | Rawalpindi | 5 Mar 1996 |
3. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla (239) vs England in 2016
South Africa’s third-highest opening partnership is registered under the pair of Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla. It was recorded when the Proteas took on England in the third game of the five-match series in Centurion. It was a high-scoring game, and England scored 318/8 in their first inning. Joe Root scored a century and made 125 runs for England. Ben Stokes (53) and Alex Hales (65) also contributed well.
South Africa had lost the first two games prior to this and needed a win anyhow. And that’s when both South African openers added a massive partnership for a big chase. They added 239 runs for the first wicket and each scored a century. De Kock scored 135 off 117, with 16 fours and four maximums, while Amla made 127 runs, including 13 fours and two sixes. That partnership helped them chase down the target in 46.2 overs and make 319/3 runs to win by 7 wickets.
2. Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw (247) vs West Indies in 2015
The second highest opening stand for South Africa came in a record-breaking match in January 2015. It was the game against West Indies, and the world saw the carnage from the bat of AB de Villiers. After winning the toss, the Men in Mahroon chose to bowl, and South Africa got off to a flying start with the bat. Both openers scored centuries and added 247 runs in 38.2 overs for the first wicket. Rilee Rossouw made 128 off 115 with 11 fours and two sixes.
Once the partnership was broken, De Villiers joined Hashim Amla, and then the world saw the fastest international century. De Villiers scored his fifty off 16 balls and scored century in just 31 balls. He scored 149 off just 44 balls, with 9 fours and 16 sixes, while Amla carried his bat through with 153 not out. South Africa posted their highest ODI score of 439/2. Although they had their second-highest opening stand in this game, this match was remembered for De Villiers. West Indies made 291/7 and lost the game by 148 runs.
1. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla (282*) vs Bangladesh in 2017
South Africa’s highest opening stand is also their highest ODI partnership for any wicket. It came in October 2017 against Bangladesh in Kimberley. Batting first, Bangladesh posted a challenging score of 278/7 in their 50 overs during the first inning. Mushfiqur Rahim scored a brilliant century for them and made 110 not out with 11 fours and two sixes. It was a par score, and Bangladesh were pretty confident.
But what happened next was just very rare. Both South African openers didn’t face any struggle in the chase, and they themselves chased down the target to win by 10 wickets. Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla added an unbeaten 282 runs for the first wicket and chased down the score in 42.5 overs. Amla made 110 not out, and De Kock scored his second-highest career score. He made 168 not out with 21 fours and two sixes.