Most Wickets For SA In T20Is: South Africa has given the world world-class pace bowlers and canny spinners who’ve terrorized T20I cricket for decades now. From incendiary pacers like Kagiso Rabada to enigmatic spinners like Tabraiz Shamsi, the top bowlers with the most wickets for SA in T20 Internationals are filled with match-winners.
Top 9 South African bowlers with the highest number of wickets in T20Is.
1. Tabraiz Shamsi – 89 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2017-2024
Best Bowling: 5/24
Tabraiz Shamsi leads the list of top wicket-takers for SA in T20Is. Being a rare left-arm wrist-spinner, Shamsi has been one such bowler who has remained a constant threat to opposition batsmen.
His most memorable spell was against England in 2022, in which he picked 5 wickets in Southampton, including crucial wickets such as Sam Curran and Liam Livingstone. Although he does not possess a national contract with Cricket South Africa, Shamsi is still a top-class spinner in international T20 leagues.
2. Kagiso Rabada – 71 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2014-2024
Best Bowling: 3/18
More famous for his red-ball heroes, Kagiso Rabada has risen to the second spot on the list of South African T20I wickets without much fanfare. Interestingly, he has never achieved a four-for or five-for in T20Is but is still greatly effective, particularly in Indian conditions where seamers tend to struggle. Rabada’s speed, control, and experience make him a vital resource for South Africa’s T20 attack.
3. Lungi Ngidi – 68 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2017-2025
Best Bowling: 5/39
Lungi Ngidi is in close competition with Rabada for the title of South Africa’s top T20I seamer. He has a five-wicket haul to his name, taken against England in 2022. Ngidi’s knack for striking in high-pressure games, particularly against England, makes him a valuable weapon in South Africa’s pace arsenal.
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4. Dale Steyn – 64 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2007-2020
Best Bowling: 4/9
Having been the spearhead of South Africa’s pace attack at one point in time, Dale Steyn ruled over all formats. Although retired and a bowling coach now, his role in South African T20 cricket still stands tall, ranking fourth for SA’s most T20I wickets.
5. Imran Tahir – 61 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2013–2019
Best Bowling: 5/23
A T20 legend, Imran Tahir, introduced vitality and efficiency to South Africa’s T20 team. Even after not playing since 2019, Tahir remains a force in franchise leagues and one of the top T20I wicket-takers for South Africa.
6. Wayne Parnell – 59 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2009-2023
Best Bowling: 5/30
Wayne Parnell is the most successful left-arm pace bowler from South Africa in T20Is. With his ability to swing the ball and being an all-round player, Parnell still plays domestic cricket and has spoken about the possibility of a national return, particularly in limited-overs cricket.
7. Anrich Nortje – 53 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2019-2024
Best Bowling: 4/7
Although prone to injury, Anrich Nortje has had a big impact with his raw speed. He was also just awarded South Africa’s T20I Bowler of the Year honor, although he didn’t play any T20Is in about a year. Nortje is still a strike force when fit and firing.
8. Andile Phehlukwayo – 50 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2017-2024
Best Bowling: 4/24
A shrewd bowler with disguised slower balls, Andile Phehlukwayo was a dependable death-overs bowler for South Africa. Although his international prospects are doubtful, he remains one of the leading wicket-takers for the Proteas in T20Is.
9. Morne Morkel – 46 T20I Wickets
T20I Career: 2007-2017
Best Bowling: 4/17
Completing the top 9 is former pace giant Morne Morkel, who had a fruitful T20I career. Presently, India’s bowling coach, Morkel, is still leaving his mark on the game through his roles as a coach in leagues.
Most Wickets for SA in T20Is – Top 9
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Best Figures | T20I Career |
| 1 | Tabraiz Shamsi | 89 | 5/24 | 2017–2024 |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | 71 | 3/18 | 2014–2024 |
| 3 | Lungi Ngidi | 68 | 5/39 | 2017–2025 |
| 4 | Dale Steyn | 64 | 4/9 | 2007–2020 |
| 5 | Imran Tahir | 61 | 5/23 | 2013–2019 |
| 6 | Wayne Parnell | 59 | 5/30 | 2009–2023 |
| 7 | Anrich Nortje | 53 | 4/7 | 2019–2024 |
| 8 | Andile Phehlukwayo | 50 | 4/24 | 2017–2024 |
| 9 | Morne Morkel | 46 | 4/17 | 2007–2017 |
South Africa’s Bowling Legacy in T20Is Runs Deep
From the spin wizardry of Shamsi to the pace firepower of Rabada, Ngidi, and Steyn, South Africa’s bowling depth in T20 cricket has always been a strong suit. As Rabada and Ngidi go head-to-head for the second spot in most wickets for SA in T20Is, the race promises more excitement in the coming matches.
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