ODI World Cup 2023: South Africa'ss strongest predicted playing XI against Afghanistan

Having already booked a rendezvous with Australia in the semi-final, South Africa (SA) will look to finalize their playing combination for the knockouts as they take on Afghanistan (AFG) in Match 42 of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 on Friday, November 10 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The Temba Bavuma-led side is coming into the game having been hammered by India in their previous fixture by 243 runs.

They’re ranked on the second spot on the points table with six wins from eight matches having 12 points to their name. South Africa have their opposition fixed for the semi-final and will look to end the league stage on a high before they enter the knockouts, especially after a heavy defeat against India. For that, they once again need to field their best playing XI in the upcoming fixture.

Here's South Africa's Predicted XI against Afghanistan:

Openers: Quinton de Kock, Temba Bavuma

Quinton de Kock has been enjoying a dominant run in the ongoing tournament so far as he’s the leading run-scorer of the event with 550 runs to his name from eight innings at an average of 68.75 and a strike rate of 111.3. De Kock had a rare failure in the previous game as he got out for just five against India. Hence, he will be eager to notch up a big score in the upcoming fixture.

Temba Bavuma has had a forgettable campaign in the ongoing tournament as he’s only scored 122 runs from six innings at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 73.93. The Proteas captain will look to find some form ahead of the knockouts and will be hungry for some runs against Afghanistan.

Check Here: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023

Middle Order: Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller

Rassie van der Dussen has been great form in the tournament so far having scored 366 runs from eight innings at an average of 45.75 and a strike rate of 90.59. The 34-year-old has scored two hundreds and one fifty in the tournament so far and will be hungry for another big innings in the upcoming fixture.

Aiden Markram has been another strong pillar in the South African middle order as he’s scored 371 runs from eight innings at an average of 53 with one hundred and three fifties to his name. The 29-year-old earlier scored a 48-ball hundred against Sri Lanka and will be eager to play another quick-fire innings in the upcoming fixture.

Heinrich Klaasen has been the destroyer of bowling attacks throughout this World Cup as he’s scored 316 runs from eight innings at an average of 45.14 and a magnificent strike rate of 144.29. The 32-year-old was dismissed for just 1 against India and hence will be eager to go big against Afghanistan to prepare for the knockouts.

David Miller hasn’t had many balls to play as the middle order has done the bulk of the scoring for his side. The southpaw has scored 231 runs from eight innings at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 127.62 with one fifty to his name. Miller will look to once again play a quick-fire innings lower down the order and help his side to propel their total.

All Rounder: Marco Jansen

Jansen has been phenomenal with both bat and ball in the ongoing tournament as he’s played the role of an all-rounder perfectly. He has scored 157 runs from seven innings at an average of 39.25 and a strike rate of 111.34 with one half-century to his name. The 23-year-old is also the leading wicket-taker for his side with 17 wickets to his name from eight innings at an average of 24.41 and an economy of 6.41.

Bowlers: Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi

Keshav Maharaj bowled a brilliant spell of 1/30 in ten overs against India as he kept a tight hold on the game. The left-arm spinner has picked 12 wickets from eight innings at an average of 26.75 and an economy of 4.65. Maharaj will look to bowl another crucial spell in the middle overs in the upcoming fixture.

Tabraiz Shamsi leaked runs against India even in favourable conditions as he registered figures of 1/72 in a ten-over spell. The left-arm spinner has picked seven wickets in three innings at an average of 24.28 and an economy of 6.10. Shamsi will be desperate to turn things around in the upcoming fixture after an expensive show against India.

Kagiso Rabada has scalped 12 wickets so far from seven innings at an average of 23.58 and an economy of 4.97. The right-arm speedster registered figures of 1/48 in a ten-over spell against India as he troubled Virat Kohli. Rabada will look to continue his brilliant spell against Afghanistan as well.

Gerald Coetzee was dropped against India as Lungi Ngidi came in his place. However, the right-arm seamer didn’t bowl his complete quota of ten overs and left the field after bowling 8.2 overs. Hence, Coetzee is likely to replace him. The 23-year-old has been in sensational form in the tournament so far having picked 14 wickets from six innings at an average of 21.78 and an economy of 6.78.

Also Check: Most Wickets in ODI World Cup 2023

South Africa's Predicted XI:

Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee