Top 5 Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India

South Africa has always produced some of the most dangerous fast bowlers and talented spinners in world cricket. Over the years, their bowlers have shown great skill in different countries, but performing in India is considered a major challenge. Indian pitches usually support spin, offer low bounce, and require bowlers to work patiently to take wickets. Because of these difficult conditions, delivering a great spell in India is always a special achievement.

Despite the challenges, several South African bowlers have recorded outstanding spells on Indian soil. These performances helped the team in tough matches and became a part of cricket history. One of the latest examples came in 2025 when Marco Jansen produced a powerful 6-wicket haul in Guwahati. Such moments show why the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India list is filled with remarkable achievements.

List of Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India

5. Imran Tahir – 5/38 (2015)

Imran Tahir delivered one of the most memorable spells by a South African spinner in India during the 2015 Test series. His performance also stands proudly among the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India because it came under serious pressure.

South Africa was struggling after India took a strong 136-run lead in the second innings of the Nagpur Test. The pitch had started to turn sharply, and South Africa needed breakthroughs to stay alive in the match. Tahir used his experience and clever variations to dismantle the Indian middle order.

He dismissed Shikhar Dhawan early and later took the key wickets of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Wriddhiman Saha. His excellent spell of five wickets for just 38 runs in 11.3 overs restricted India to 173. Even though South Africa could not chase the final target, Tahir’s spell remains one of the finest Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India.

Match Detail	Performance
Venue	Nagpur
Year	2015
Overs Bowled	11.3
Runs Conceded	38
Wickets Taken	5
Key Dismissals	Dhawan, Kohli, Rahane, Saha
Match Result	SA lost by 124 runs

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4. Paul Adams – 6/55 (1996)

Paul Adams produced one of the earliest and most surprising entries on the list of Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India. Known for his unique unorthodox action, Adams became a sensation during South Africa’s 1996 tour of India.

In the Kanpur Test, India started confidently with good contributions from Woorkeri Raman and Sachin Tendulkar. But the match changed when Adams came into the attack. His unusual bowling release confused the Indian batters, and he created turn and drift that became very difficult to handle.

He dismissed big names including Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Sunil Joshi. Finishing with figures of 6 for 55 in just 19.1 overs, Adams played a major role in keeping South Africa in the contest. Although India eventually won the match, Adams’ effort still ranks high among the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India.

Match Detail	Performance
Venue	Kanpur
Year	1996
Overs Bowled	19.1
Runs Conceded	55
Wickets Taken	6
Key Dismissals	Sachin, Dravid, Azharuddin, Joshi
Match Result	India won by 280 runs

3. Marco Jansen – 6/48 (2025)

Marco Jansen’s 6 for 48 in 2025 instantly became one of the most recent additions to the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India. Jansen had already contributed with the bat by scoring 93 runs in the first innings of the Guwahati Test. But it was his bowling that changed the direction of the game.

India came in to bat during the second innings hoping to reduce the deficit, but Jansen bowled with exceptional pace, bounce, and accuracy. His lengths troubled all batters, and he broke crucial partnerships by removing Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Nitish Reddy. After dominating the middle order, he cleaned up the tail to complete his 6-wicket performance.

His brilliant spell gave South Africa a big 288-run lead that turned the match in their favour. This performance strongly deserves its place in the Top Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India list.

Match Detail	Performance
Venue	Guwahati
Year	2025
Overs Bowled	19.5
Runs Conceded	48
Wickets Taken	6
Maidens	5
Key Dismissals	Jurel, Pant, Jadeja, Reddy
Match Impact	Gave SA a 288-run lead

2. Dale Steyn – 7/51 (2010)

Dale Steyn is one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, and his 7 for 51 in Nagpur remains one of the most dangerous fast-bowling spells ever produced on Indian soil. This match is also a top entry in the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India list because Steyn dominated in conditions that usually favour spinners.

After South Africa posted a massive total of 558, Steyn attacked the Indian batting lineup with pace, swing, and aggression. He dismissed top players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Murali Vijay, and Subramaniam Badrinath. His ability to reverse swing the ball at high speed made him nearly unplayable.

Steyn bowled India out for 233, forcing a follow-on. South Africa went on to win the match by an innings and 6 runs. His fiery spell remains one of the most iconic Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India ever achieved.

Match Detail	Performance
Venue	Nagpur
Year	2010
Overs Bowled	16.4
Runs Conceded	51
Wickets Taken	7
Key Dismissals	Sachin, Vijay, Badrinath
Match Result	SA won by an innings & 6 runs

1. Lance Klusener – 8/64 (1996)

The top spot in the Top 5 Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India belongs to Lance Klusener for his extraordinary spell of 8 for 64 in Kolkata during the 1996 tour. This remains the greatest bowling performance by a South African bowler in India.

South Africa had given India a huge target of 467 runs. India needed a solid batting effort, but Klusener destroyed their hopes early. He dismissed Nayan Mongia and later returned to remove VVS Laxman, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sunil Joshi, and Javagal Srinath. His seam movement and disciplined line troubled every batter.

Klusener completed his spell with 8 wickets for just 64 runs in 21.3 overs. His performance helped South Africa win by a massive 329 runs. Even today, this spell stands as the best ever among the Best Bowling Figures by South Africa in India.

Match Detail	Performance
Venue	Kolkata
Year	1996
Overs Bowled	21.3
Runs Conceded	64
Wickets Taken	8
Key Dismissals	Mongia, Laxman, Azharuddin, Srinath
Match Result	SA won by 329 runs

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