Strongest South Africa Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024

South Africa kicks off their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Sri Lanka on June 3 in New York. They play their first three games in New York and their final league game in  Kingstown. 

South Africa are in the same group that has teams like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Protead have been the perennial underachievers in ICC events. They have not managed to punch above their weight like New Zealand in recent years, 

They faced a league-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2022. South Africa have also managed to retain the most of their core that played in the T20 World Cup 2022. Temba Bavuma who led them in the previous edition was axed this time around. It is Aiden Markram who will be leading the side.

Many of the South African players who are a part of the T20 World Cup squad played recently in the IPL. Some looked in good form, some woefully out of form. Heinrich Klaasesn and Tristan Stubbs look like the two most in-form batters for South Africa heading into this tournament. 

Also Read: Strongest Australia Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024

Kagiso Rabada pulled out early from the IPL to treat his soft tissue infection in his lower limb. PBKS management released him to undergo the required treatment and be fit for the World Cup. 

Strongest South Africa Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024

Batsmen: Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Tristan Stubbs, David Miller, Reeza Hendricks

Markram, Klaasen, Stubbs, and Miler are the four pillars of this South African batting lineup at this point of time and will bat in different positions for the team. 

Hendricks is likely to open the batting with De Kock, followed by Markram, Miller, Klaasen, and Stubbs probably. That makes a brilliant top-six for the Proteas. All the batters are big hitters and can single-handedly 

All-Rounders: Marco Jansen 

Jansen can bat at seven as the specialist all-rounder for South Africa. He played in the IPL but could not make a substantial contribution with either bat or ball. But the Proteas needs an all-rounder at number seven and Jansen for now fits the bill.

He has long levers and can hit the ball a long distance. With the ball, he can provide the crucial breakthrough in the opening overs as he swings the ball up and early. 

Wicketkeeper-Quinton de Kock 

De Kock should be the premier wicketkeeper for South Africa. He should also open the batting for the team in the T20 World Cup. He and Reeza Hendricks should be able to maintain the left-right combination.

The southpaw did not have an IPL to remember. However, he has a chance now to step up for his country and perform with the bat and the glove in the mega event.

Bowlers: Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi

Rabada and Nortje will be the specialist seamers for South Africa with Jansen as the third spin option. The pitches in West Indies are expected to be batting-friendly wickets and thus Rabada and Nortje are an absolute must in the playing XI. 

South Africa should also ideally play Maharaj and Shamsi together in the lineup. They are a potent spin twin at the moment and will be useful in the low and slow wickets that assist spinners in the Caribbean. 

Thus there is enough depth and variety in the South African bowling attack with Jansen and skipper Aiden Markram as additional spin options.

Also Read: Strongest New Zealand Playing 11 for T20 World Cup 2024