Often hailed as one of the most popular, thrilling and prestigious formats of international cricket, the T20 internationals (T20I) have been witness to numerous legendary bowlers including Muttiah Muralitharan, Abrar Ahmed, Varun Chakravarthy, Adil Rashid, Rashid Khan and many others who have left no stone unturned in annihilating even the greatest batting lineups of numerous prominent teams in the world with their lethal and ruthless bowling attacks.
While the batting lineup of South Africa is often hailed as one of the most dominant since the inception of the T20I format, a few bowlers have managed to give a tough time to the greatest of South African batsmen on the pitch with their breakneck deliveries. Have you ever wondered about the top four bowlers who hold the record for picking up the highest number of wickets against South Africa in the T20I format? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four bowlers with most wickets against South Africa in the T20I format.
Top 4 Bowlers With Most Wickets Against South Africa in T20I
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Arshdeep Singh, India – 21 Wickets
The 27-year-old Indian international cricketer Arshdeep Singh is at the first spot in our list of the top four bowlers who have picked up the highest wickets against South Africa in the T20I format. The trailblazing Indian bowler has been nothing short of a nightmare for the South African batting lineup in T20 internationals owing to his phenomenal swing deliveries and unmatched control over the ball in death overs.
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As of January 2026, Arshdeep Singh has picked up a record total of 20 wickets against South Africa in the T20 internationals, which continues to be the highest aggregate as of January 2026, ranking him at the first spot on our list. Overall, Arshdeep Singh has represented India in a record total of 76 T20 internationals and has claimed a commanding total of 118 wickets at an economy rate of 8.54.
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Varun Chakravarthy, India – 19 Wickets
At the second spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the most wickets against South Africa in the T20I format, we have another sensational Indian bowler, Varun Chakravarthy, who made his roaring T20 international debut against Sri Lanka on 25 July 2021. Often hailed as one of the most dominant bowlers to ever represent India across all formats of international cricket, Varun Chakravarthy has left no stone unturned in annihilating the top batting lineup of the Proteas in the most crucial T20 international matches.
As of January 2026, the sensational Indian international cricketer, Varun Chakravarthy has picked up a spine-chilling total of nineteen T20 international wickets against South Africa, ranking him at the second spot on our list.
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Chris Jordan, England – 17 Wickets
Next, at the third spot in our list of the top four bowlers who have picked up the highest wickets against South Africa in the T20I format, we have the iconic Bajan British international cricketer Chris Jordan, who is often regarded as one of the most dynamic bowlers in the history of international cricket.
Chris Jordan made his much-awaited T20 internationals debut against Australia on 2 February 2014 and has been a mainstay for the England national cricket team ever since. As of January 2026, the iconic English bowler Chris Jordan has picked up a record total of seventeen wickets against South Africa and a commendable total of 108 wickets in general, establishing himself as one of the most annihilating bowlers in the history of the format.
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Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan – 15 Wickets
Finally, at the fourth spot in our list of the top four bowlers with the most wickets against South Africa in the T20I format, we have the 25-year-old Pakistani international cricketer Shaheen Afridi, who is widely regarded as one of the most lethal bowlers in Pakistan’s bowling unit across all formats of international cricket.
In addition to leading Lahore Qalandars to Pakistan Super League titles in 2022, 2023, and 2025 and establishing himself as the first ever captain to achieve the feat, Shaheen Afridi has also proved to be a dominating force in Pakistan’s bowling unit against South Africa in the T20 internationals. As of January 2026, Shaheen Afridi has picked up a total of fifteen wickets against the Proteas in T20 internationals, ranking him at the fourth spot on our list.
