5 Lowest-ever Proteas ODI totals

The Proteas slumped to a world record 342-run ODI defeat to England at Southampton on Sunday.

Temba Bavuma’s team were routed for 72 in response to the hosts’ 414/4. 

However, the 72 just managed to pass South Africa’s lowest-ever ODI total. 

Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams takes a look back at the Proteas worst ever ODI batting collapses.

Proteas’ five lowest ODI totals

1. 69 v Australia, Sydney, 1993

The Proteas had done well to restrict the Aussies to 172/9 at the SCG with Fanie de Villiers and Craig Matthews claiming three wickets each. But they could never imagine what was to follow at 34/2 with the last eight wickets falling for 35 runs. Medium-pacer turned umpire Paul Reiffel did the most damage with figures of 4/13.

2. 72 v England, Southampton, 2025

South Africa simply never pitched at The Rose Bowl after clinching the series two days previously at Lord’s. The bowlers conceded 414/5 before Jofra Archer ran amok as the batters floundered – only just passing the Sydney debacle.

3. 83 v India, Kolkata, 2023

Again, outplayed in all departments. India posted 326/5, courtesy of a fantastic unbeaten 101 from Virat Kohli. Once again at 35/2, there were no signs of the capitulation to come with left-armer Ravindra Jadeja spinning a web around the Proteas’ middle-order with figures of 5/33.

4. 83 v England, Nottingham, 2008

A match that was billed as the switching on of the new floodlights at Trent Bridge never even got that far after Stuart Broad (5/23) produced one of his magical spells again on his home ground. England’s openers finished the game in just 14.1 overs to cruise home by 10 wickets. 

5. 83 v England, Manchester, 2022

It certainly is an unlucky number for the Proteas as they were again steamrolled for 83 at Old Trafford. The visitors had performed well with the ball to restrict England to 201 after allrounder Dwaine Pretorius claimed career-best figures of 4/36.

But the Proteas’ top-order was blown away by England’s left-arm seam trio of Reece Topley, David Willey and Sam Curran as they slumped to 6/4. There were ultimately four ducks in the eventual total.