South Africa has been one of the unluckiest teams in ICC trophies’ history. Despite starting as the favorites to win almost every ICC event, the Proteas have always found a way to underperform and get knocked out of the tournament. Recently, the Proteas lost against minnows Netherlands in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 and crashed out of the competition in the Super 12 stage itself.
While the South African side has not won a major ICC trophy so far, some of the players born in the rainbow nation have managed to put their hands on the prestigious titles by changing their nations. Here’s a list of the five players who were born in the southern nation of Africa but later switched nations and became ICC champions.
1. BJ Watling was born in South Africa
BJ Watling was born in the rainbow nation but he played international cricket for the New Zealand men’s cricket team. The veteran wicket-keeper batter was a member of the New Zealand squad that won the inaugural World Test Championship Final.
2. Devon Conway was born in South Africa
Another player who could have played for the Proteas but moved to New Zealand and won the WTC is Devon Conway. He is a left-handed opening batter who has impressed a lot in his short career.
3. Neil Wagner
New Zealand cricket team’s left-arm fast bowler Neil Wagner was also born in the African nation. However, he left the nation and then played for New Zealand, winning the WTC in 2021.
4. Craig Kieswetter
Former England opener Craig Kieswetter not just won the 2010 T20 World Cup with the English squad but also won the Man of the Match award in the final. He had to retire early due to a fatal injury.
5. Jason Roy
Jason Roy was a member of the English squad that won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He was born in the rainbow nation as well.
