Top 5 highest totals by South Africa in T20I cricket

South Africa have scored 200+ totals 24 times in T20I cricket.

T20I cricket is often considered a batter’s game, where players always focus on hitting sixes and boundaries to get as many runs as possible. Due to less number of overs in T20Is, the main motto is to score runs at a high strike and go after the bowlers right from the start.

Although South Africa have never won the T20 World Cup, they are considered a dominating team in the shortest format of the game. Over the years, the Proteas have produced many hard-hitting batters in T20I cricket, who have helped them post gigantic totals against opposition teams.

If we look at records in T20I cricket, Zimbabwe hold the record for the highest ever team total with 344/4 against Gambia. Among test playing nations, India hold the record with 297/7 against Bangladesh in 2024.

South Africa have registered 200+ totals on 24 occasions in T20Is. Moreover, they also own the record for the highest successful run-chase in T20I cricket. On that note, let’s take a look at South Africa’s highest totals in T20I cricket.

Top 5 highest totals by South Africa in T20I cricket

5. 227/3 vs India (2022)

During a high-scoring encounter against India in October 2022 in Indore, South Africa registered their fifth-highest total in T20I cricket. After being asked to bat first, Proteas piled up 227/3 in the first innings, with a century by Rilee Rossouw (100*) and a fifty by Quinton de Kock (68).

In the second innings, Indian batters succumbed under pressure against the gigantic target and were bowled out for 178 runs as the visitors won by 49 runs. It was the last T20I match of the three-match series, which India won 2-1.

4. 229/4 vs England (2016)

South Africa’s fourth-highest T20I total is 229/4, which came against England during the ICC T20 World Cup 2016. The encounter, which took place in March 2016 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, witnessed the Proteas piling up 229/4 in the first innings.

Openers Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, and middle-order batter JP Duminy hammered half-centuries to power the scoreboard to a gigantic total. However, the Proteas lost the clash despite their incredible efforts in batting.

England chased down the target by two wickets in the final over, with a marvellous 83-run knock by middle-order batter Joe Root. Opener Jason Roy scored a crucial 43 runs.

3. 231/4 vs West Indies (2015)

During a T20I clash against the West Indies in January 2015, South Africa posted 231/7 in Johannesburg, which is their third-highest total in T20I cricket. South Africa were asked to bat first in the encounter, and skipper Faf du Plessis (119) led them to the mountainous total with his century. David Miller added a quickfire 26-ball 47.

However, the West Indies chased down the total in the second innings, with brilliant batting efforts by opener Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, both of whom hammered half-centuries. The visitors won the high-scoring encounter by four wickets to give a big setback to the hosts.

2. 241/6 vs England (2009)

Long back in 2009, Proteas hammered 241/6 in a clash against England. The encounter took place at SuperSport Park in Centurion, where South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss.

With brilliant half-centuries by openers Graeme Smith (88) and Loots Bosman (94), the hosts posted 241/6 in the first innings. The duo etched a record opening partnership of 170 runs. Later, they restricted England to 157/8 in the second innings, winning the encounter by 84 runs.

1. 259/4 vs West Indies (2023)

South Africa’s highest T20I total is 259/4, which they registered against West Indies in March 2023 at SuperSport Park, Centurion. After being asked to bat first, the West Indies posted 258/5 in the first innings, with a century by Johnson Charles and a fifty by Kyle Mayers.

However, their brilliant efforts went in vain as South Africa pulled off the gigantic chase by six wickets. Quinton de Kock, scoring 100 runs off 44 balls, set the platform for the Proteas’ victory.

The left-handed batter made an opening stand of 152 runs with Reeza Hendricks, who added 68 runs. With the victory, South Africa scripted the record for the highest successful run-chase in T20I cricket.

(All stats updated till 10th August, 2025)

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