The Wanderers Stadium, affectionately known as The Bullring, is a popular stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. The stadium accommodates around 34,000 people and has hosted several cricket matches across all three formats over the years.
Built in 1956 to replace the old Wanders Stadium, this stadium has seen several high profile games unfold over the years. From the 2003 World Cup final to South Africa chasing down a world record score of 434, this stadium has quite the highlight reel.
The stadium has also witnessed AB de Villiers break the record for the fastest fifty in ODIs and he also holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by a South African, which he achieved on this ground.
With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the T20 records at the Wanderers Stadium.
Wanderers Stadium T20 records
Most runs
Rassie van der Dussen holds the record for the most T20 runs at this stadium with 905 runs in 31 matches for teams like Jozi Stars, Lions, North West, and South Africa. His best performance at this venue came on December 11, 2018 when he made 96* off 44 balls for Jozi Stars in the Mzansi Super League. His stellar innings helped the Stars claim a 101-run victory over Tshwane Spartans.
He’s made seven half-centuries and has an average of 36.20 at this ground.
Most wickets
Aaron Phangiso bagged 43 wickets in T20s at the Wanderers Stadium while playing for Joburg Super Kings, Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, and the South Africa national team, to name a few. With an economy of 7.32 and an average of 22.93 at this venue, it’s safe to say that Phangiso feels well and truly at home in this venue. His best figures at the stadium is his spell of 4/32 for Joburg Super Kings against Pretoria Capitals in SA20 2023.
Highest individual score
Jon-Jon Smuts is responsible for the highest score by a batter in T20s at this stadium courtesy his innings of 121 runs off 60 balls. Smuts represented the Warriors on May 5, 2019, and brought up a century against Lions in the CSA T20 Challenge. He hit seven sixes and 11 fours to take his team to a respectable total of 192 while chasing 204.
Best bowling figures
Nono Pongolo shook up the Tshwane Spartans’ batting line up for Jozi Stars with his impeccable six-wicket haul in December 2018. While Rassie van der Dussen and other batters cumulatively set a total of 239/3 in the first innings, a charged up Pongolo made sure his team’s batters efforts did not go in vain as he got the better of six batters. He did so while maintaining an economy of 5 and only conceded 20 runs in his four over quota to help the Stars secure a 101-run win.
Highest team total
Sri Lanka hold the record for the highest team total at this venue after scoring 260/6 when they faced Kenya in September 2007 during a T20 World Cup match. Trailblazing performances from Sanath Jayasuriya (88 off 44) and skipper Mahela Jayawardene (65 off 27), with supporting acts from Jehan Mubarak and Kumar Sangakkara who made 46 and 30 runs respectively got them to a total of 260 in their 20 overs. Sri Lanka then bundled out Kenya for 88 as they romped to a 172-run win.
Lowest team total
Pakistan recorded 60/2 after the D/L method came into play in a rain-affected match against South Africa in November 2013. Earlier, South Africa had amassed 153/7 in their 20 overs, but Pakistan couldn’t quite chase down the revised target of 65 runs in 9.1 overs in the second innings and lost the game by four runs.
Highest partnership
Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen brought up the highest partnership after stitching a 165-run partnership at this stadium for Lions against Warriors on May 5, 2019. Bavuma made 104 off 63, whereas van der Dussen made 73 off 41. They took the Lions to a total of 203. The Warriors could only manage 192 runs in response and lost the game by 11 runs.
