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Most charismatic South African cricketer of all-time?

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Majestic

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While there are some South African players who are considered devoid of charisma, who do you think is/was the most charismatic Saffer of all-time or the ones you have seen?
 
Definitely Mike Procter.

Nobody else even comes close! Second is probably Eddie Barlow.
 
Firstly define charisma?

For me, charisma means ability to attract the attention of people with your game play and be admired and loved all round the world.

AB definitely is one I would say is the most charismatic SA cricketer I saw along with Steyn. I find Kallis, Smith(his batting not captaincy), Amla and Philander completely devoid of charisma.

de Villiers, on other hand, you may like or hate him but when he is in groove, you always feel like admiring his batting display.
 
Donald and then AB. Both charismatic and tragic heroes
 
AB and Amla in modern times, possibly Steyn. Smith was a great leader of men, so he should get a nod. I've actually ended up naming more than I thought, because when I think of SA cricket, my mind goes to the more "boring" yet great players such as Kallis, Pollock and co.

Btw, Ntini was hugely charismatic and hugely popular among black SAs, as well as a huge crowd favourite.
 
Probably Rhodes. He made fielding cool and people went to watch that.
 
1. Donald for his pure venom
2. Steyn for his pure venom and more.
3. Big Mac Macmillan for being himself.
 
There was a Saffer side that had Graeme Smith, Jacque Kallis, AB De Villiers, Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn and Makhaya Ntini...... Class and charisma oozing from all corners.




The Saffer side of today is boring if truth be told.
 
Has to be Herschelle Gibbs. That brother was really loved by the ladies I hear!
 
Rana said:
Has to be Herschelle Gibbs. That brother was really loved by the ladies I hear!
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He had the most unusual habit I have ever seen from a cricketer- dropping the ball right after he had caught it.

Unfortunately, it cost him big time.
 
Gibbs, Klusenar, Donald, Ntini, Steyn, AB, Rabada, Markram.

How did I missed Gibbs? Used to be a huge fan of him.
 
It is funny but all these charismatic cricketers ended up becoming tragedy heroes in World Cup.

Gibbs, Klusenar, Donald in 99 WC.

Pollock in WC 2003.

Faf in 2011 WC.

Steyn, AB in 2015 WC.
 
Last edited:
nextover666666 said:
thats why is he cool he got away with it lol......:P
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And he isn't good enough with the bat to have a permanent place in the team, definitely not when we consider the limitation of white players in SA 11-man squad.
 
Its strange that how some people find smith and kallis charismatic

Regardless of how great players they are both are pretty boring to watch

On topic it has to be AB and Steyn in the order....so much skill,flair and unique qualities oozed from them
 
Protea Fan said:
Its strange that how some people find smith and kallis charismatic

Regardless of how great players they are both are pretty boring to watch

On topic it has to be AB and Steyn in the order....so much skill,flair and unique qualities oozed from them
Click to expand...

Did you not watch Donald? Donald pwns steyn when it comes to charisma, the white lightning was very very popular in a era without internet or social media
 
WildSwing said:
Did you not watch Donald? Donald pwns steyn when it comes to charisma, the white lightning was very very popular in a era without internet or social media
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Yes i did,Donald was more of a intimidating player rather than what can be called charismatic

But for me steyn was unique, when he bowls he make me think "Wow, the human body can do some incredible things".The sort of feeling you get when you are watching a virtuoso musician

He has a freak nature the same can be said about AB too,so such players bring much more energy naturally
 
Rhodes will be right up there if we are talking about charismatic cricketers.
 
The South African accent is such. Don't think there has ever been any Charismatic SA player.

Graeme Smith probably spoke the best and most passionately out of all the South African players.
 
Majestic said:
While there are some South African players who are considered devoid of charisma, who do you think is/was the most charismatic Saffer of all-time or the ones you have seen?
Click to expand...

In recent times, Kevin Pietersen.

A silly man really, but entertaining in so many ways.

Even when being dismissed by Asif.
 
Savak said:
The South African accent is such. Don't think there has ever been any Charismatic SA player.

Graeme Smith probably spoke the best and most passionately out of all the South African players.
Click to expand...
I don't think speeches have much to do with it. In my mind charisma translates to the aura you have on the field.

So it would be guys like Donald, Steyn, Klusener, AB, Gibbs and Rhodes. Guys who you know are commanding the attention of everyone when they're on the field.

Rhodes takes it for me because everyone else bats or bowls. Rhodes was a special case in that people wanted to watch him field.
 
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