Wanderers Stadium is a cricket venue in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is the home ground of the Imperial Lions, Joburg Super Kings and the South African cricket team.

With a seating capacity of 34,000, it is also known as “the Bullring” due to its electric and intimidating atmosphere.

Surrounded by high stands, the Wanderers also provides the luxury of a small grassed area for the spectators which adds to the serenity of the venue.

Established in 1956, the cricket stadium also hosted its first international game in December that year, when hosts South Africa locked horns with England in a Test match which the visitors won by 131 runs.

It has hosted the finals of the 2003 Cricket World Cup and the 2007 T20 World Cup. Later in 2009, the venue also hosted the final of the Indian T20 League.

Interestingly, the Wanderers has staged many memorable matches which include South Africa’s record chase of 434 runs against Australia, AB de Villiers’ record-breaking knock of 149 runs against West Indies and many more.

To date, this cricket ground has hosted 33 T20Is. Let’s have a closer look at the Wanderers Stadium, South Africa T20I records and stats.

Wanderers Stadium T20I Records and Stats

Most runs

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith holds the record for scoring the most runs at the Wanderers Stadium in T20I cricket. The Johannesburg-born batter amassed 341 runs in nine innings at an impressive average of 48.71.

The South Africa veteran smacked three fifties at the Wanderers Stadium with his highest score being an unbeaten 89 runs against Australia in 2006.  

Most wickets

South Africa pacer Andile Phehlukwayo has the record for the most T20I wickets at the Wanderers Stadium. The speedster has scalped nine wickets in seven innings at an economy of 9.35. 

In 2019, the medium pacer returned with 4/24 against Sri Lanka, making it his best T20I figures at the venue. 

Highest individual score

Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis holds the record for registering the highest individual score at the Wanderers Stadium. The right-handed batter smashed 119 off 56 balls during the second T20I of the West Indies’ tour of South Africa in 2015.

Du Plessis’ knock included 11 fours and five towering sixes. However, West Indies won the game by 4 wickets to take a 2-0 lead and win the three-match T20I series. 

Best bowling figures

Indian chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav’s 5/17 against South Africa is the best bowling figures recorded at this iconic venue in the T20I format. 

The left-arm wrist spinner picked up five wickets for 17 runs from 2.5 overs in the third T20I of India’s tour of South Africa in 2023. 

Kuldeep’s brilliant spell helped the visitors win the game by 106 runs as they successfully bowled out South Africa to square the three-match series 1-1.

Highest team total

Sri Lanka rode on half-centuries from Sanath Jayasuriya (88), Mahela Jayawardene (65) and a quick-fire 46 not out from Jehan Mubarak to post a mammoth total of 260/6 against Kenya at the Wanderers Stadium in the T20 World Cup 2007. 

It is the highest team total in T20Is at this venue and helped the Lankans win the Group C match by 172 runs.

Lowest team total

In the Match 19 of T20 World Cup 2007, Bangladesh were bundled out for 83 by Sri Lanka. A lethal bowling unit of Sri Lanka headed by Chaminda Vaas reduced the Bangla Tigers to a below-par total.

This is the lowest team total in T20Is at the Wanderers Stadium and Sri Lanka won the game by 64 runs having posted 147/5 earlier.

Highest partnership

Australia’s David Warner and Glenn Maxwell added 161 runs for the fourth wicket against South Africa in the 2nd T20I of Australia’s tour of South Africa in 2016. 

This remains only the second instance when a batting pair added 150 or more T20I runs together at the venue. Chasing 205 runs, Warner (77) and Maxwell (75) stitched a valuable partnership to help the Aussies chase down the total in the final ball of the innings to level the three-match T20I series 1-1.

Photo credit: Imago