Top 10 South African players to have played in the IPL

3. Dale Steyn

Dale Steyn

Without a shadow of a doubt, Dale Steyn is a batsman’s worst nightmare. The South African speedster has been playing for the Sunrisers Hyderabad over the last couple of years after previously playing for RCB and the now-defunct Deccan Chargers. In 2012, he picked up 18 wickets at a mind-boggling average of 15.83.

He was one of the prime reasons behind the Sunrisers Hyderabad’s voyage to the playoffs in 2013. With a jaw-dropping economy of 5.66 he scalped 19 wickets in 2013, his best season of IPL so far. SRH were in a fix in choosing between Steyn and Trent Boult in 2015, as a result of which Steyn played only 6 matches.

With his ability to also contribute a few runs lower down the order, he remains one of the biggest match-winners in the IPL.

2. Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest all-rounders the game has ever seen, it can be said that the IPL was privileged enough to have him as a part of it. The T20 format is no exception in the list of all that Kallis mastered as the classy batsman was a top contender for the orange cap in 2010. Though he joined the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2011 after 3 seasons with RCB, he continued his role of ‘anchoring’ at the top of the order.

He made a crucial 69, overshadowed by Manvinder Bisla’s 89, in the 2012 IPL final to finally bring success to the Knight Riders. One cannot forget his exploits with the ball either as he took 65 wickets with an economy of 7.89. While he is no longer playing in the IPL, Kallis continues to be an instrumental part of the Kolkata dressing room as a mentor.

1. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

He is not a surprise inclusion in any list that speaks about South African cricket or its best players. He was a key batsman in the Delhi Daredevils’ middle order during his time there, bringing up his maiden IPL century in the second season. Bought by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the fourth edition, De Villiers has never stopped displaying his delightful brutality with the bat and acrobatic saves in the field.

With an impressive average of 36.74 and 2570 runs under his belt, he has two IPL centuries to his name, the second one coming in the recently concluded edition of the league. His innovative batting has helped pull off some stunning victories when his team was on the cusp of defeat. The two-time winner of South Africa’s best cricketer award has been a vital player in the star-studded line-up of RCB.