Interesting Facts About South Africa

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50 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOUTH AFRICA1. Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world.

2. The world is divided into six floral kingdoms. All these k ingdoms encompass several countries, and in some cases, several continents. South Africa, which

has a floral kingdom wholly contained within the country, is the one exception. The Cape Floral Kingdom has 9,600 plant species, 70% of which are not found

anywhere else in the world.

3. Table Mountain alone has over 1,500 species of plants, more than the entire United Kingdom.

4. South Africa is the second largest exporter of fruit in the world.

5. South Africa has the longest wine route in the world.

6. Kruger National Park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species on the African continent.

7. South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique are tearing down fences between the countries' game parks to create a 13,500 square mile game park, which

will become the largest conservation area in the world. It will be bigger than Switzerland, Belgium or Taiwan.

8. South Africa has a penguin colony, which thrives thanks to the cold Antarctic currents on the west coast near the Cape.

9. South Africa is rated 3rd in the world in supplying safe, drinkable tap water.

10. The Palace of the Lost City resort hotel is the largest theme resort hotel in the world as well as the largest building project undertaken in the southern

hemisphere.

11. Walt Disney serves South African wine exclusively at its 73-acre Animal Kingdom Lodge in the United States.

12. South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world.

13. The deepest mine is a gold mine in South Africa. in 1977 the Western Deep Levels Mine reached a depth of 11,749 feet. Most mines descend to about

3,300 feet.

14. South Africa is the only country in the world to voluntarily abandon its nuclear weapons program.

15. South Africa has 19,004 miles of railway track - 80% of Africa's rail infrastructure.

16. South Africa generates two-thirds of Africa's electricity.


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17. The Tugela Falls is the second highest waterfall in the world, where the water tumbles down 2,789 feet. First place goes to the Angel Falls in Venezuela

at 3,212 feet.

18. Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world - and the largest green one. The Grand Canyon in the U.S. is the biggest, and the Fish RiverCanyon in Namibia the second, but both are very dry.

19. South Africa is home to the world's smallest succulent plants (less than 0.39 inches) and the largest (the baobab tree).

20. Kimberley may have the biggest man-made hole in the world, but did you know that the southern Free State town of Jagersfontein has the deepest

vertical man-made hole?

21. The only street in the world to house two Nobel Peace prizewinners is in Soweto. Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tu tu both have houses onVilakazi Street in Soweto.

22. South Africa is the world's largest producer of macadamia nuts.

23. South Africa has the third highest level of biodiversity in the world.

24. South Africa is the world's leader in mining and minerals. It has nearly 90% of the platinum metals on earth, 80% of the manganese, 73% of the chrome,45% of the vanadium and 41% of the gold.

25. South Africa is the first country in Africa to host the prestigious FIFA World Cup (will take place in 2010).

26. South Africa has the oldest meteor scar in the world, just across the Vaal River near Parys, called the Vredefort Dome. This is a UNESCO World HeritageSite.

27. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.

28. South Africa is the sole producer of the Mercedes Benz C Class, right-hand drive vehicles .

29. General Motors South Africa will be the only manufacturing site outside of the United States to build the Hummer H3 vehicle.

30. South Africa is one of the most generously endowed geographic solar hotspots in the world, soaking up just over half of the world's highest category of

solar wattage per square yard of land.

31. South Africa has deserts, mountains, escarpments, plateaus, grasslands, bush, wetlands and subtropical forests.


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32. Most of the world's proto-mammalian fossils are found in the Karoo region.

33. Dr. Christiaan Barnard, at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, performed the first human heart transplant in the world in 1967. He was also the first to

do a "piggyback" transplant in 1971, and he was the first to do a heart-lung transplant.

34. The vast majority of South African coal exports are shipped through the Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT). With the capacity to export 79.4 mmstannually, RBCT is the world's largest coal export facility.

35. The world's largest diamond was the Cullinan Diamond, found in South Africa in 1905. It weighed 3,106.75 carats uncut. It was cut into the Great Star of

Africa, weighing 530.2 carats, the Lesser Star of Africa, which weighs 317.40 carats, and 104 other diamonds of nearly flawless color and clarity. They now

form part of the British crown jewels.

36. There are about 280,000 windmills on farms across South Africa, second in number only to Australia.

37. Three of the five fastest land animals live in South Africa - the cheetah (63 miles per hour), the wildebeest, and the lion.

38. The oldest remains of modern humans were found in Klasies River Cave in the Eastern Cape. They are well over 100,000 years old.

39. In eastern South Africa, scientists have found traces of blue-green algae dating back 3,500 million years. This is some of the earliest evidence of life onEarth.

40. There are more than 2,000 shipwrecks, dating back at least 500 years, off the South African coast. More than one of these, including the Waratah, simply

vanished without a trace.

41. The Karoo region is home to some of the best fossils of early dinosaurs.

42. Although Pretoria is considered to be the capital of South Africa, the country actually has three capitals: Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and

Bloemfontein (judicial).

43. In its eastern part, South Africa entirely surrounds another country - Lesotho, an independent constitutional monarchy.

44. Approximately 900 bird species are found in South Africa alone, which represents 10% of the worlds total bird species.

45. South Africa has the most luxurious train in the world, The Rovos Rail.

46. South Africa has the highest commercial bungi jump in the world (710 feet).


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47. Mossel Bay is in the Guinness Book of records as having the second most moderate climate in the world.

48. Pietermaritzburg's city hall is the largest red brick building in the Southern Hemisphere.

49. Hippos are susceptible to sunburn, and spend most of their days with just their noses out of water. Their noses have special flaps that close when

submerged, and they can stay under water for 25 minutes.

50. South Africa has the oldest wine industry outside of Europe and the Mediterranean, featuring Chardonnays, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cinsault, Riesling, Shiraz,

Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage varietals.

South Africa: fast factsSouth African facts at your fingertips up-to-date information on the country's economy, population, geography, climate, languages and more.

Key facts

Economy

Democracy

Geography and climate

Provinces

Population

Languages

Education

Key facts

General:

Official name: Republic of South Africa

Form of state: A federal state, comprising a national government and nine provincial governments.

Legal system: Based on Roman-Dutch law and the 1996 Constitution.

Population (Census 2011): 51.77-million
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Measures: metric system

Currency: One rand (R) = 100 cents

Time: Two hours ahead of GMT

Internet domain: .za

Geography:

Area: 1 219 090 square kilometres

Agriculture: 81.6% of total land area

Arable land: 12.1% of total

Irrigated land: 10.15% of arable land

Capitals:

Pretoria (administrative)

Cape Town (legislative)

Bloemfontein (judicial)

Provinces:

Eastern Cape

Gauteng

KwaZulu-Natal

Mpumulanga


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Northern Cape

Limpopo

North West

Free State

Western Cape

Economy

Currency: Rand (R)

Exchange rate: see "market indicators" above right

Real GDP growth rate (second quarter 2012): 3.2%

Ranking in terms of GDP size: 25th largest in the world [IMF]

Consumer inflation rate (May 2012): 5.7% y/y [StatsSA]

Producer inflation rate (May 2012): 6.6% y/y [StatsSA]

Prime bank overdraft lending rate (July 2012): 9%

Labour force (first quarter 2012): 17.95-million economically active [StatsSA]

Unemployment (first quarter 2012): 25.2% [StatsSA]

Sovereign credit rating (2012):

Standard and Poor's: BBB+/NegativeFitch: BBB+/Negative

Moody's: A3/Negative

GDP composition by sector (2011):

agriculture 2.5%, industry 31.6%, services 65.9%
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Key industries:

Mining (world's largest producer of platinum, chromium), automobile assembly, metal- working, machinery, textiles, iron and steel, chemicals, fertilisers,

foodstuffs, commercial ship repair.

Main trading partners (2011) [Sars]:

ExportsChina 12.77%, US 8.64%, Japan 7.88%, Germany 6.04%, UK 4.11%, India, 3.47%, Switzerland 3.24%, Netherlands 3.05%, Zimababwe 2,52%,Mozambique 2.5%

ImportsChina 14.24%, Germany 10.69%, US 7.88%, Japan 4.74%, Saudi Arabia 4.46%, India 4.03%, UK 4.02%, Iran 3,74%, Nigeria 3.13%, Italy 2.7%

Democracy

National legislature: Bicameral Parliament elected every five years, comprising a 400-seat National Assembly and a 90-seat National Council of Provinces.

Electoral system: List-system of proportional representation based on universal adult suffrage.

Elections: National elections were held in 1994, 1999, 2004 and 2009. The next national election will take place within 90 days of 22 April 2014.

Head of state: The President is elected by the National Assembly. Under the Constitution, the President is permitted to serve a maximum of two five-yearterms. The current President is Jacob Zuma, who was sworn in on 9 May 2009.

South Africa is a vigorous multiparty democracy with an independent judiciary and a free and diverse press.

Until 1994, the country was known for apartheid white-minority rule. South Africa's remarkable ability to put centuries of racial hatred behind it in favour

of reconciliation was widely considered a social miracle, inspiring similar peace efforts in Northern Ireland, Rwanda and elsewhere.

The highest law of the land is the Constitution, which came into force on 4 February 1997, and is considered to be one of the most progressive in the world.

The Constitution's Bill of Rights protects equality, freedom of expression and association, property, housing, health care, education, access to information,

and access to courts. Protecting those rights is the country's independent judiciary, subject only to the Constitution and the law.

With 13 parties in Parliament, South Africa has a vibrant political system. The African National Congress is the governing party, and strongly in the majority,though the opposition parties are robust and vocal.

SOUTH AFRICA'S POLITICAL PARTIES
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Political partyNational Assembly

seats

African National Congress 264

Democratic Alliance 67

Congress of the People 30

Inkatha Freedom Party 18

Independent Democrats 4

United Democratic Movement 4

Freedom Front Plus 4

African Christian Democratic Party 3

United Christian Democratic Party 2

Pan Africanist Congress 1

African Peoples Convention 1


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Minority Front 1

Azanian People's Organisation 1

See:Democracy in South Africa

Geography and climate

South Africa is a medium-sized country, with a total land area of 1 219 090 square kilometres, or roughly equivalent in size to Niger, Angola, Mali or

Colombia. It is one- eighth the size of the US, about a third the size of the European Union, twice the size of France and over three times the size of

Germany. It measures some 1 600km from north to south, and roughly the same from east to west.

The country lies between 22 and 35 south, flanked on the west by the Atlantic Ocean and on the east by the Indian Ocean, whose waters meet at the

country'sand Africa'smost southern tip, Cape Agulhas.

The coastline stretches 2 798 kilometres from a desert border in the northwest, down the icy Skeleton Coast to Cape Agulhas, then up along the green hills

and wide beaches on the coast of the Indian Ocean, to a border with subtropical Mozambique in the northeast.

The low-lying coastal zone is narrow for much of that distance, soon giving way to a mountainous escarpment that separates it from the high inland

plateau.

A subtropical location, moderated by ocean on three sides of the country and the altitude of the interior plateau, makes South Africa a warm and sunny

country. But it's also dry, with an average annual rainfall of about 450mm, with about 21% of the country receiving less than 200mm a year. The world

average is 860mm. While the Western Cape gets most of its rainfall in winter, the rest of the country is mostly a summer-rainfall region.

See:South Africa's geography and climate

Provinces

South Africa has nine provinces, which vary considerably in size.

The smallest is tiny and crowded Gauteng, a highly urbanised region, and the largest the vast, arid and empty Northern Cape, which takes up almost a third

of South Africa's total land area.
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PROVINCIAL LAND AREA

Province Area % of total

Eastern Cape 169 580 km 13.9%

Free State 129 480 km 10.6%

Gauteng 17 010 km 1.4%

KwaZulu-Natal 92 100 km 7.6%

Limpopo 123 910 km 10.2%

Mpumalanga 79 490 km 6.5%

Northern Cape 361 830 km 29.7%

North West 116 320 km 9.5%

Western Cape 129 370 km 10.6%

TOTAL 1 219 090 km 100%

POPULATION BY PROVINCE


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CENSUS 2011

Province Population % of total

Eastern Cape 6 562 053 12.7%

Free State 2 745 590 5.3%

Gauteng 12 272 263 23.7%

KwaZulu-Natal 10 267 300 19.8%

Limpopo 5 404 868 10.4%

Mpumalanga 4 039 939 7.8%

Northern Cape 1 145 861 2.2%

North West 3 509 953 6.8%

Western Cape 5 822 734 11.3%

TOTAL 51 770 560 100%

Source:Statistics South Africa
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See:South Africa's nine provinces

Population

South Africa is a nation of diversity, with 51.77-million people and a variety of cultures, languages and religious beliefs.

According to Census 2011, the country's population stands at 51 770 560 people.

Africans are in the majority at 41 000 938, making up 79.2% of the total population.

The coloured population is estimated at 4 615 401 (8.9%), the white population at 4 586 838 (8.9%), and the Indian/Asian population at 1 286 930 (2.5%). In

the census carried out in 2011, 280 454 (0.5%) South Africans classified themselves as "other".

Females make up just over half (51.3%) of the population, and males 48.7%.

CENSUS 2011

Population group Number % of total

African 41 000 938 79.2%

Coloured 4 615 401 8.9%

White 4 586 838 8.9%

Indian/Asian 1 286 930 2.5%

TOTAL 51 770 560 100%

Source:Statistics South Africa
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See:South Africa's population

Languages

South Africa is a multilingual country. The country's democratic Constitution, which came into effect on 4 February 1997, recognises 11 official languages, to

which it guarantees equal status. These are:

Afrikaans

English

isiNdebele

isiXhosa

isiZulu

Sesotho sa Leboa

Sesotho

Setswana

siSwati

Tshivenda

Xitsonga

Besides the official languages, scores of others

African, European, Asian and more

are spoken in South Africa, as the country lies at the crossroads ofsouthern Africa.

According to Census 2011, isiZulu is the most common home language is, spoken by nearly a quarter of the population. It is followed by isiXhosa at 17.6%,

Afrikaans at 13.3%, Sepedi at 9.4%, and Setswana and English each at 8.2%.

Sesotho is the mother tongue of 7.9% of South Africans, while the remaining four official languages are spoken at home by less than 5% of the population

each.

Most South Africans are multilingual, able to speak more than one language. English- and Afrikaans-speaking people tend not to have much ability in

indigenous languages, but are fairly fluent in each other's language. Most South Africans speak English, which is fairly ubiquitous in official and commercial

public life. The country's other lingua franca is isiZulu.

SOUTH AFRICAN LANGUAGES 2011

Language Number of speakers* % of total
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Afrikaans 6 855 082 13.5%

English 4 892 623 9.6%

isiNdebele 1 090 223 2.1%

isiXhosa 8 154 258 16%

isiZulu 11 587 374 22.7%

Sepedi 4 618 576 9.1%

Sesotho 3 849 563 7.6%

Setswana 4 067 248 8%

Sign language 234 655 0.5%

SiSwati 1 297 046 2.5%

Tshivenda 1 209 388 2.4%

Xitsonga 2 277 148 4.5%


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Other 828 258 1.6%

TOTAL 50 961 443** 100%

* Spoken as a home language** Unspecified and not applicable are excluded

Source:Census 2001

See:South Africa's languages

Education

At about 7% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 20% of total state expenditure, South Africa has one of the highest rates of public investment in

education in the world.

School life spans 13 years or grades, from grade 0, otherwise known as grade R or "reception year", through to grade 12 or "matric"the year of

matriculation.

Under the South African Schools Act of 1996, education is compulsory for all South Africans from the age of seven (grade 1) to age 15, or the completion of

grade 9.

South Africa has a vibrant higher education sector, with nearly 900 000 students enrolled in the country's 23 state-funded tertiary institutions: 11

universities, six universities of technology, and six comprehensive institutions.

There are currently around 450 registered private FET colleges, which cover training provided from Grades 10 to 12, including career-oriented education

and training.

According to Census 2011, the percentage of people aged 20 or older who have higher education increased from 8.4% in 2001 to 12.1%. The number of

those who matriculated increased from 20.4% to 28.5%. Those who had no schooling at all decreased from 17.9% to 8.6%.

There has been moderate increase in people aged between five and 24 attending private institutions rather than public ones. Gauteng topped the list with

16% of people in this age group attending private institutions. This was followed by the Western Cape with 7.5%, and the Free State with 6.4%.
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The functional illiteracy ratesthat is, people 15 years old and over with no education or a highest level of education less than grade seven have dropped

from 31.5% in 2001 to 19.1% in 2011. Poorer rural provinces, such as Limpopo and the Northern Cape, have cut their functional illiteracy rates by almost

half to around 25% since 1996.

See:Education in South Africa

Geography

Situated at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa has a landmass of 1 233 404 km edged on 3 sides by a nearly 3000km coastline washed by the

Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. It is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, and also wraps itself around two

independent countries, the Lesotho and Swaziland.

South Africa has 3 capitals: Cape Town (Legislative), Pretoria (Administrative and Bloemfontein (Judicial).

ystem

A well-known fact about South Africa is that since 1994 we have enjoyed democratic government, the apartheid policies of the past overthrown. Our

constitution is regarded as an example to the world, and enshrines a wide scope of human rights protected by an independent judiciary. The country isheaded by a State President, Jacob Zuma, of the African National Congress (ANC).

A lesser-known fact on South Africa is that it has achieved steady economic growth in gross domestic product (GDP) since the late 90s. The country,

regarded as an emerging market, has a well developed financial sector and active stock exchange. Financial policies have focused on building solid

macroeconomic structures. The countrys central bank is the Reserve Bank.

Since the demise of apartheid, international tourist arrivals have surged, making tourism one of the fastest growing sectors. The tourism industry is

well-established with an exciting sector of emerging entrepreneurs. The country is strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife travel and is a

pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

The South African population of more than 49m people is extremely diverse. Africans are in the majority, approx. 80% of the population, followed by

the white population approx. 4,4m; the coloured population approx. 4,2 million and the Indian/Asian population at approx. 1,2m.
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South Africa's currency is the rand, which offers visitors great value for money. The rand comes in a range of coins (R1 = 100 cents) and note

denominations of R10, R50, R100.

South Africa has a temperate climate and is known for its long sunny days, hence the title: 'Sunny South Africa'. Most of the provinces have summer

rainfall, except for the Western Cape (winter rainfall). Winter is from May to August; Spring from September to October; Summer from November to

February and Autumn is from March to April.

cations

South Africa has an exceptionally well-developed communications infrastructure. A number of cell-phone providers provide national coverage and

there are well-established landline phone networks. Internet and Wi-Fi are easily accessible in most urban areas.

There are 9 provinces in South Africa, namely: Eastern Cape, Free State, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal; Gauteng, North West, Northern Cape,

Limpopo and Mpumalanga

ymbols

The South African flag is a much-loved symbol of patriotism and other significant national emblems include: National bird: blue crane; National animal:

the springbok; National fish: galjoen; National flower: protea and National tree: the yellowwood.s

South Africa is a multi-lingual country and there are 11 official languages including: English, Afrikaans, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho,

Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Composed by Enoch Sontonga in 1899, the Xhosa hymn 'Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika is South Africa's national

anthem

Almost 80% of South Africa's population is Christian. Other major religious groups include Hindus, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists. A minority don't

belong to any of the major religions. The Constitution guarantees freedom of worship.

Tap water is potable. However, ensure that you take bottled water with you when travelling to remote rural areas and the bush.

nd Plants

South Africa has been declared one of the 18 megadiverse destinations in the world. As a pioneer and leader in responsible tourism, South Africa has

numerous conservation projects to protect its natural heritage - travellers can support and take part in many of these projects. The country is home to

the famous Big Five (rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo).


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The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50 HZ. With a few exceptions (in deep rural areas) electricity is available almost everywhere.

The 3 major international airports in South Africa are: OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town International Airport and King

Shaka International Airport (Durban) as well as 90 regional airports including the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) in Nelspruit.

Road and Rail

South Africa has an extensive road infrastructure including national highways and secondary roads. Speed limits are set at 120 kilometres on

highways; 100 kilometres on secondary roads and 60 kilometres in urban areas.

irements

South Africa requires a valid yellow fever certificate from all foreign visitors and citizens over 1 year of age travelling from an infected area or having

been in transit through infected areas. For visa requirements, please contact your nearest South African diplomatic mission.

safety

South Africa is well-known for its medical skill since Professor Christiaan Barnard performed the first successful heart transplant in 1967. There are

many world-class private hospitals and medical centres around the country, especially in the urban centres. Most of South Africa is malaria-free, but

always check with the game reserves you're planning to visit and take precautions if necessary. Make sure you have the latest safety tips from the

establishment where you will be staying and take common sense precautions as you would when travelling.

Herschelle Gibbswasn't exactly the poster boy for being a role model to aspiring athletes, but he was one heck of a player.

Ruthless yet elegant, reckless yet consistent. Although his career came to an abrupt end after a rather controversial autobiography,

Gibbs will forever be remembered for his 175 in the famous 438-9 match against Australia.

Gibbs was shameless in his bad-boy image and never shy to admit that he quite liked a drink, but that didn't stop him from scoring

runs in abundance and was an asset for the South African team in both Tests and one-day internationals.
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He ended his career with 90 Tests matches with 6,167 runs to his name and 248 one-day internationals with 8,094 runs, at an

average of 83.26.

That tally of runs makes him South Africa's second-highest run-getter in ODIs. Gibbs was a prolific batsman who had no fear of any

bowler.

Hashim Amla made his debut nine years ago, and while he there were many critics around back then, they've all changed their

tune.

His awkward back lift, which comes from his days playing cricket in a cramped courtyard, was his biggest flaw, but he's proved that

one's technique doesn't have to be perfect for a player to be great.

He is South Africa's sixth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket and was the first South African to score 300 when he ripped the heart

out of the English attack during the Proteas' tour of England in 2012.

The wristy right-hander averaged 70.93 in 2012, scoring 1,064 runs, but his most prolific term was in 2010, when he notched up

1,249 runs in just 11 games.

Astute, elegant with a perfect cover drive, Amla's star shines so bright, you need shadesand he has a few years still left in him.

Arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game, Jacques Kallis has amassed 13,128 runs in his 18-year careerand

he's not done yet.

While he is being "carefully managed" at the moment, Kallis will still play for a few years to come, but he has achieved so many

great things.


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He had one monkey to get off his back: scoring a double hundred in Tests. Despite all his achievements, he simply couldn't get

thereuntil 2010, that is.

His first double hundred came against India in Centurion in December 2010. He finished unbeaten on 201 as South Africa clinched

victory by an innings and 25 runs.

His second came a little over a year later on his home ground in Cape Town. Kallis keeps on keeping on, even when the media

write him off as being over the wall.

South Africa's very own ginger ninja was Shaun Pollock. A bowler first and a lower-order mega-hitter second, he was always at the

top of the favourites list.

Having played over 100 Tests for South Africa and over 300 one-day internationals, Pollock topped his illustrious bowling career by

taking 421 wickets in Tests and 393 in ODIs with a couple of very handy runs in both formats.

He is South Africa's all-time 10th-highest run-scorer in Test cricket (3,714 runs), and while he's not in the top 10 for ODIs, he was a

vital part of the Proteas team who used to be renowned for starting slow and then launching an assault.

His highest score in Tests came against Sri Lanka in 2001, where he scored one of only two centuries of the game. His knock of

111 off 106 eventually helped South Africa to win by an innings and seven runs. His effort earned him a man-of-the-match award

and a man-of-the-series gong.

The now-retired Gary Kirsten remains one of the most esteemed players to ever play for the Proteas. He's the fourth-highest run-

scorer in one-day cricket and the third-highest in Test cricket.


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He wasn't the most naturally gifted player, but he worked hard and established himself at the top of the South African batting order

as an irreplaceable cog.

That dogged determination ensured he shared in many memorable partnerships and will always be remembered for his match-

winning 76 in the final innings he ever played. He was also the first Proteas player ever to play 100 games for his country.

After retiring in 2004, Kirsten eventually took up a coaching job with the Indian national team, where he led the side to the top of the

Test rankings and to a World Cup win. His stint with India ended in 2011, and from there he went on to coach his home country

South Africa.

South Africa were taken to the top of the Test rankings under his reign, but they continued their struggles in the shorter format of

the game, including ICC events. In his last game in charge, South Africa crashed out of theICC Champions Trophyto England.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1682122-icc-champions-trophy-final-2013-england-vs-india-score-recap-and-morehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/1682122-icc-champions-trophy-final-2013-england-vs-india-score-recap-and-morehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/1682122-icc-champions-trophy-final-2013-england-vs-india-score-recap-and-morehttp://bleacherreport.com/articles/1682122-icc-champions-trophy-final-2013-england-vs-india-score-recap-and-more

Interesting Facts About South Africa

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