South Africa born players who featured in an ICC event final

21 ICC events, 11 times in the semi-finals yet South Africa have made only one appearance in the final in their 25 years’ limited-overs cricket history. The only final they managed to qualify for was in the inaugural edition of the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998 in which they ended up as the winners, the only ICC tournament title in their cabinet.

So far 77 players have featured for South Africa in the ICC tournament out of which 56 players had the chance to feature in the semis but only 11 players got the feel of playing an ICC event final. However, 8 other players born in South Africa featured in final of an ICC event but while playing for other sides.

Talking about the match officials, three from South Africa have officiated in a final of an ICC tournament. While 8 players born in South Africa played a final for other teams, two of the 11 South Africans featured in the 1998 CT final were interestingly born outside the country. Middle order batsman Dale Benkenstein was born in Salisbury, which is a part of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe while their paceman in that game, Steve Elworthy was also born in a Zimbabwe city, Bulawayo.

7 out of the 8 players who were born in South Africa and played in an ICC event final; they made it to the big stage by playing for England only. In fact, the 2010 World T20 which was won by England, had seen three players born in South Africa among the England  XI. That 2010 WT20 was the only occasion any South Africa-born players lifted the ICC title other than the 1998 CT.

South African umpire Marais Erasmus might also be officiating in the final since South Africa aren’t part of the final and he can be considered as a neutral option.

Players born in South Africa to feature in an ICC event final:

Match officials from South Africa in an ICC event final: