South Africa has always been one of the strongest teams in ODI cricket. Although they have never won an ODI World Cup, their consistent performances have often taken them to the semi-finals. Over the years, South Africa has produced some of the most explosive hitters in cricket. These players have played breathtaking innings, scoring centuries in record time. In this article, we discuss the top 5 fastest centuries by South African batsmen, showcasing the power and skill of these legendary cricketers.
Table of Contents
List of 5 Fastest Centuries by South African Batsmen in ODI Cricket
5. Heinrich Klaasen – 54 Balls vs West Indies, 2023
Heinrich Klaasen, a former South African wicket-keeper batsman, ranks fifth in the list of fastest centuries by South African batsmen. During the third ODI against the West Indies at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, in March 2023, Klaasen scored a sensational century off just 54 balls.
Chasing a target of 261, South Africa lost four early wickets for only 87 runs. Klaasen, batting at number five, played a match-winning innings of 119 not out off 61 balls. His innings included 15 fours and 5 sixes, helping South Africa chase the total in just 30 overs and secure a four-wicket win.
| Player | Heinrich Klaasen |
| Runs | 119* |
| Balls | 61 |
| Fours | 15 |
| Sixes | 5 |
| Strike Rate | 194.26 |
| Result | Won by 4 wickets |
ALSO READ: Top 10 Highest Successful Run Chases in ODI Cricket
4. AB de Villiers – 52 Balls vs West Indies, 2015
AB de Villiers, regarded as one of the greatest power hitters in cricket history, is fourth on the list of fastest centuries by South African batsmen. In the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, he scored a remarkable century off just 52 balls against the West Indies at Sydney Cricket Ground.
De Villiers smashed 162 not out off 66 balls, hitting 17 fours and 8 sixes. His extraordinary innings helped South Africa reach 408/5, supported by contributions from Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and Rilee Rossouw. The West Indies were bowled out for 151, giving South Africa a massive 257-run victory.
| Player | AB de Villiers |
| Runs | 162* |
| Balls | 66 |
| Fours | 17 |
| Sixes | 8 |
| Strike Rate | 245.45 |
| Result | Won by 257 runs |
3. Aiden Markram – 49 Balls vs Sri Lanka, 2023
Aiden Markram, the current South African T20I captain, stands third in the list of fastest centuries by South African batsmen. In the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Sri Lanka at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, Markram scored a 49-ball century.
Batting alongside Quinton de Kock and Rassie van der Dussen, Markram contributed 106 runs off 54 balls with 14 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa reached a massive 428/5, their highest ODI World Cup total. Sri Lanka managed 326, resulting in a 102-run victory for South Africa.
| Player | Aiden Markram |
| Runs | 106 |
| Balls | 54 |
| Fours | 14 |
| Sixes | 3 |
| Strike Rate | 196.29 |
| Result | Won by 102 runs |
2. Mark Boucher – 44 Balls vs Zimbabwe, 2006
Mark Boucher, a former South African wicket-keeper, ranks second among fastest centuries by South African batsmen. In 2006, during the third ODI against Zimbabwe at Sedgars Park, Potchefstroom, Boucher scored a blistering century off just 44 balls.
South Africa batted first and posted 418/5, with Boucher scoring 147 not out off 68 balls, hitting 10 sixes and 8 fours. Zimbabwe could only score 247/4, losing by 171 runs. Boucher’s explosive performance earned him the Player of the Match award.
| Player | Mark Boucher |
| Runs | 147* |
| Balls | 68 |
| Fours | 8 |
| Sixes | 10 |
| Strike Rate | 216.17 |
| Result | Won by 171 runs |
1. AB de Villiers – 31 Balls vs West Indies, 2015
AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century, topping the list of fastest centuries by South African batsmen. In January 2015, against the West Indies at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, he scored a sensational century off just 31 balls.
South Africa batted first and posted 439/2, with openers Hashim Amla and Rilee Rossouw also scoring centuries. AB de Villiers finished his innings with 149 off 44 balls, hitting 16 sixes. His record-breaking century remains unbeaten, and South Africa won the match by 148 runs after restricting West Indies to 291/7.
| Player | AB de Villiers |
| Runs | 149 |
| Balls | 44 |
| Fours | 0 |
| Sixes | 16 |
| Strike Rate | 338.63 |
| Result | Won by 148 runs |
FAQs
1: Who holds the record for the fastest century by a South African in ODI cricket?
AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest ODI century by a South African, scoring 100 runs off just 31 balls against the West Indies in January 2015.
2: How many South African batsmen have scored centuries in under 50 balls?
Three South African batsmen—AB de Villiers, Aiden Markram, and Mark Boucher—have scored centuries in ODI cricket in under 50 balls.
3: What is the fastest century by Heinrich Klaasen in ODI cricket?
Heinrich Klaasen scored a century off 54 balls against the West Indies in March 2023, making it one of the fastest centuries by South African batsmen.
4: Which South African wicket-keeper has scored one of the fastest ODI centuries?
Both Mark Boucher and Heinrich Klaasen, who are former South African wicket-keepers, have scored some of the fastest centuries by South African batsmen in ODI cricket.