Lovingly referred to as the Proteas, South African cricket team is one of the most well-known cricket teams globally. Cricket South Africa is currently managing this team.
South African Cricket Team was a victim of international politics when a ban was imposed on them. Due to their ‘discriminating’ apartheid policy.
The ban barred the team from playing any international cricket till the year 1991. Regarding their success in ICC (International Cricket Council) organized tournaments, they have only managed to win the Champions Trophy in the year 1998.
Interestingly, the South African cricket team made its ODI debut against India on 10th November 1991 in Kolkata, West Bengal. South Africa became a test cricket playing nation in 1889 when it played a match against England.
The controversial ICC ban on South Africa in 1970 led to many talented South African cricketers being never able to play cricket again on an international level. Some players emigrated to other countries as well to continue playing international cricket.
They played their first test after getting reinstated against West Indies in 1992 April.
They also hosted the 2003 cricket world cup. But since they made it to semi-finals of the World Cups for four times and then losing them, they were given an infamous nickname of ‘chokers’. They were also the Gold medal winners at the 1998 International Commonwealth Games.
Their reputation, however, was tarnished by a match-fixing scandal which happened during their tour of India in the year 2000. Hansie Cronje was the main mastermind behind this entire scandal. The scandal was uncovered by the brave Delhi Police.
It is also said that it was Mohammed Azharuddin who introduced Hansie Cronje to the bookies. Hansie Cronje’s karma caught up with him, and he died in a plane crash in the year 2002.
