It was 1998, the year of the inaugural ICC Men's Champions Trophy, and it was also the only time that South Africa claimed a senior International Cricket Council men's silverware.
But there is absolutely no doubt that the Proteas have what it takes to go all the way in Pakistan, entering the tournament placed fifth in the One Day International team rankings.
Temba Bavuma will lead the side’s campaign, which kicks off against the all-round talent of Afghanistan in Karachi.
Along with the Afghans, South Africa are grouped up with Australia and England - there is no easy path to the Champions Trophy semi-final stage for the African side.
But Bavuma's side has the requisite quality with the bat and the ball to make a deep impact in the tournament.
The side has quality pace resources in the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Wiaan Mulder, and also impactful spinners like Tabraiz Shamsi, and Keshav Maharaj.
South Africa’s CT squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Corbin Bosch
Group stage fixtures
February 21 – Against Afghanistan, Karachi
February 25 – Against Australia, Rawalpindi
March 1 – Against England, Karachi
Player to watch
Heinrich Klaasen
The big-hitting Klaasen is coming off a stupendous finish to 2024 where he scored 81 (off 43), 97 (off 74), and 86 (off 97) in the three-game ODI series against Pakistan. His run of form has propelled him to fifth in the ODI batting rankings, on 743 ratings points. In a growing sample size of 57 ODI, the 33-year old averages over 43 with the bat and strikes it at well over three figure (116.19 strike rate), and thus can play a handy role in the middle-order.
