Predicted South African XI for the 2016 T20 World Cup

The countdown to the T20 World Cup has truly begun, but as a South African supporter, the fight and determination still lingers whenever any world cup beckons. The South African cricket team is looking to shake off a stubborn mule and who knows, maybe this time the choking tag will eventually disperse.Despite their unsuccessful attempts to win any knockout match, South Africa is still one of the toughest teams to beat leading up to the T20 World Cup in India. It’s not surprising that the number six team in T20 cricket is looking to improve on their performance in this tournament.We look at eleven players that will most likely start and represent the Proteas at the 2016 T20 Cricket World Cup in India in March.

#1 Faf du Plessis

Faf is well aware of the conditions in India

With his stellar T20 record in India, it’s no surprise that Faf will relish the opportunity and conditions. Playing for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Faf has had a decent batting average of 29.23 playing for the two-time IPL Champions. He is the third highest scoring batsmen for the CSK and has scored 380 runs in his 17 matches in the subcontinent.

Faf thrives for the Proteas in the limited overs game as he has a killer average of 42.36 in 24 games with the best of 119 against the West Indies. So far in the World Cup, he has played five games making 173 runs with an impressive average of 34.60.

#2 Hashim Amla

Amla can give the start which the Proteas need

The stature of the South African batting line-up is for the sole purpose of having Hashim Amla in their squad. As majestic as it sounds, every fan, critic and player wants to see Amla excel and he will be a player to contend with during next year’s World Cup.

Amla has played in 10 World Cup matches with an average of 28.44 with 256 runs to his name, and he will be looking to dominate at the top of the order. The openers need to give South Africa a good build-up to the innings, as all eyes will be on that hairy beard.

#3 AB de Villiers

You can’t keep him out

There’s no way South Africa will leave out one of their cricketing maestros that is AB de Villiers. AB will be looking to dominate the tournament with his flamboyant batting style and might give South Africa the breakthrough they deserve.

De Villiers has seen the South African cricket team through various highs and lows and will be going with extra determination in this tournament. His World Cup record is good, playing 26 games scoring 607 runs with a best of 79* against England in 2009.

He’s contribution on the field will also be vital as he may be the back-up keeper if anything should happen to De Kock. The whole world is anticipating his performance in this World Cup and hopefully he delivers to his fans, teammates and country.

#4 Quinton de Kock

De Kock has already practised well in India

Quinton de Kock has been going through a tough time after being dropped from New Zealand’s tour to South Africa and was replaced by Morné van Wyk. He has come back since his exclusion and has scored three centuries in a row for South Africa ‘A’ against India ‘A’.

His T20 statistics isn’t much to brag about for a South African wicket-keeper with an average of 28.50 in his 22 matches. However, he is hoping to change that around with contributions behind the stumps and with the bat. If he plays a decent knock for the South Africans in the middle order, the team might chase and score a competitive total.

#5 JP Duminy

Delhi Daredevils’ skipper

JP Duminy is one of the most experienced T20 players in the South African squad; he has made 23 T20 World Cup appearances since its inauguration in 2007. Duminy's invaluable contribution to the team hasn't gone amiss in any games; his golden-arm effect has worked for the South Africans and has taken 16 wickets with the best of 3/18 against Sri Lanka in 2013.

In the 2014 edition, Duminy smashed a top-score of 86* against New Zealand and sits with a moderate batting average of 35.75 in the shorter format.

#6 David Miller

Miller can destroy down the order

South Africa is depending on David Miller to come in at the end of an innings so that he can hit some quick boundaries to get his team off to a competitive advantage. Miller hasn't performed great in his two World Cup tournaments.

However, this might change as he has always proved to be valuable with the bat in hand. Averaging 28.66 in T20I isn't the best for the hard-hitting batsmen, but hopefully he can turn things around for him and the team.

#7 Rilee Rossouw

Rossouw can strike when needed

No other batsman has had a successful 2015 performance in T20 cricket like Rilee Rossouw has. The 25-year-old batsman has scored 180 runs with an impressive average of 57.00. Rilee has revelled in his position at number four and has provided his team with decent knocks, including 51* against West Indies earlier this year.

However, he is ruled out of the T20 squad against India next month and will be looking to recover for the main event next year.

#8 Imran Tahir

Tahir had a great outing in the 2014 edition of the tournament

Imran Tahir hasn't been on top form this season and this has contributed to him being dropped and replaced by other bowlers, such as Eddie Leie. The leg break bowler has come a long way into the squad, but his average of 14.68 still speaks volumes of his character. In his 16 T20I, Tahir has taken 25 wickets with the best of four for 21 against the Netherlands in the previous World Cup.

The subcontinent conditions will suit him, as it did in the World Cup in 2014, where he was the pick of the bowlers in the tournament claiming 12 wickets. Nonetheless, Imran has a lot to do to get a stable inclusion in the South African team.

#9 Dale Steyn

This was one of the best moments of the tournament last year

Although, Dale Steyn hasn't played a T20I since the semi-final at the 2014 World Cup match against India, which South Africa lost by six wickets, Dale has since then concentrated on the longer formats of the game.

However, despite his reluctance to play for South Africa's T20 side, his record of 38 games with 55 wickets at an average of 15.98 is something that isn't ordinarily done by a fast bowler in this format. Half of those 55 wickets have been taken in the World Cup arena, as 29 scalps in 21 appearances has given Dale and his team something to smile about, although they are fruitless in the tournament thus far.

#10 Kagiso Rabada

Rabada’s performance in Bangladesh gives him an edge

This fast bowler burst onto the scene following a stellar season for his domestic team, the Lions and has gone on to play five matches for the Proteas. Rabada has taken eight wickets at an average of 22.12.

His best bowling spell occurred in the 2nd T20I against New Zealand, where we bagged three for 30. Rabada first World Cup will see him up against the world’s best T20 specialists and it will be interesting to see whether or not he will rise to that challenge.

#11 Kyle Abbott

Abbott should replace Morne in the playing XI

Kyle is the front-line bowler and will be looking to take early wickets for the South Africans. His record in the limited over game isn't one to boast about as his 12 games for 11 wickets with an average of 28.81 could be better.

However, Kyle has the ability to bring pace and bounce in slow wickets, which he proved against Bangladesh in the 2nd T20I in Dhaka with a spell of 3/20. He'll be looking to take over this major position, which was once occupied by Morne Morkel.