South Africa have blooded 71 ODI cricketers since returning from their first major limited-overs outing, the 1992 World Cup.

Some brilliant (see Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs), some average (see JP Duminy, Andre Nel) and others downright token (see Vernon Philander, Justin Ontong), but surely none as bad as this bunch of one-shot wonders and the like...

Openers...

Andrew Puttick (ODIs: 1; Runs: 0; HS: 0; Ave: 0.00; SR: 0.00)
On the back of a match-less tour to Sri Lanka in 2004 with the national team devoid of a crocked Herschelle Gibbs, the Cape Town-based left-hander pandered to the selectors' convenience call a year later and raced to Newlands to replace the injured Boeta Dippenaar.

Thrown in the deep end against a New Zealand attack fronted by Shane Bond, Puttick's day quickly turned to small embarrassment as five balls into his debut knock the Black Caps speedster castled the new recruit for a quacker. Effectively set up for failure by the team management's selfish need for expediency, the poor bloke was never given another chance to prove his mettle.

Adam Bacher (ODIs: 13; Runs: 270; HS: 56; Ave: 20.76; SR: 57.56)
Not to suggest nepotism was the reason but South African cricket supremo Ali Bacher's nephew enjoyed an inexplicably extended stay in the ODI set-up. Lean home series against India and Australia resigned him to the international wilderness, before his daft recall some seven years later against England and Zimbabwe, again at home, proved that he still couldn't hack it in the big time.

Last seen scoffing at Kevin Pietersen's captaincy and suggesting Justin Ontong and Vernon Philander are not the future of South African cricket with the Supersport commentary team.

Close calls: Gulam Bodi, Gerhardus Liebenberg, Morne van Wyk, Louis Koen.

Middle Order...

Rudi Steyn (ODIs: 1; Runs: 4; HS: 4; Average: 4.00; SR: 28.57)
The mid 90s batting equivalent of Hashim Amla, Steyn should never have been exposed to limited-overs cricket. In a batting order littered with erroneous experimentation (Dave Richardson and Gerhardus Liebenberg opening, Gary Kirsten at five and Hansie Cronje down at seven), he came in at three and struggled against Zimbabwe's Henry Olonga and Heath Streak.

In an era when South Africa viewed 230-240 as a formidable total, the debutant was well on his way to doing his bit with a dogged four singles before Streak stopped him dead in his tracks with one of four wickets for the day.

Mike Rindel (ODIs: 22; Runs: 575; HS: 106; Ave: 27.38; SR: 68.66)
Having started his time with South Africa in the middle order before being upped to top of the knock, the aggressive left-hander's career slowly but surely petered out as the powers-that-be buckled to the buzz word: pinch-hitter. Such a role had a certain shelf life, one which Rindel was quick to expire.

The return from injury of Gary Kirsten and the emergence of Herschelle Gibbs as regular in the starting line-up eventually led to the man in question's permanent axing.

Dave Callaghan (ODIs: 29; Runs: 493; HS: 169*; Ave: 25.94; SR: 67.90)
Much like Rindel, Justin Kemp's cousin started his international stint in the middle order before the same pinch-hitting gameplan surged him to the top of the order and back down again.

The selectors had to wait 19 outings into his 29-match career for him to truly warrant his pay cheque, as he plundered New Zealand for a 143-ball 169 not out. That hefty knock proved quite the anomaly, given he never pipped 50 in any of his other two dozen ODI innings.

All-Rounder...

Derek Crookes (ODIs: 32; Runs: 296; HS: 54; Ave: 14.80; SR: 71.84, Wkts: 25; BB: 3/30; Ave: 40.44; Econ: 4.96)
In the wake of numerous hopefuls before him (see Nicky Boje, Clive Eksteen, Tim Shaw, etc), Crookes tried his utmost to cement a spot in the side as his nation looked for a permanent spinner. His exploits with the ball ranged from substandard to dismal and his performances with the bat were much the same.

Most notably though, he will be remembered for his 'unknowing' role in the Hansie Cronje match-fixing scandal. One fine day in Nagpur the little tyke was bizarrely asked to open the bowling for the Proteas, subsequently fetching 69 runs in his 10-over allotment. Little did he know, he was a mere pawn in Cronje's greedy endeavour. Or did he...? Last seen offering insight, along with Paul Adams, on the Supersport commentary team.

Close calls: Pieter Strydom, Corrie van Zyl, Eric Simons.

Wicketkeeper...

Steve Palframan (ODIs: 7; Runs: 55; HS: 28; Ave: 13.75; SR: 68.75; Catches: 9; Stumpings: 0)
When Dave Richardson fractured his left index finger on the eve of the 1996 World Cup, the Border gloveman must have found it hard to stave off anticipant glee and instead feign sympathy.

As the country's number two 'keeper, Palframan flew to the subcontinent and quickly tried to blaze a trail for himself with blossoming knocks against New Zealand and England. But not enough time at the crease and a handful of slack stints behind the stumps saw him axed and one MV Boucher climb the pecking order.

Close calls: Errol Stewart, Nic Pothas.

Spinner...

Shafiek Abrahams (ODIs: 1; Wkts: 0; BB: 0/40; Ave: -; Econ: 4.00)
Believe it or not, the Saffers once sported two spinners in one XI! 4 November 2000 was the 'famous' day as Abrahams and Boje plied their trade in unison, the former evidently proving so ineffective that he was never seen on the big stage again.

He still fancied he had something to offer though, and years down the line snapped up a job on the selection panel. And only now are South Africa beginning to boast a semblance of consistency in their spin selection: Johan Botha.

Close calls: Dave Rundle, Claude Henderson, Thandi Tshabalala.

Fast bowlers...

Henry Williams (ODIs: 7; Wkts: 9; BB: 3/38; Ave: 25.33; Econ: 4.15)
The portly paceman's on-field and off-field antics left a lot to be desired: couldn't bowl, couldn't bat, couldn't field. Along with Gibbs, he fetched a pretty sum for agreeing to go at more than five an over in a 2000 ODI, but copped an injury and only coughed up 11 balls in that match.

After the whole saga Williams was rather bitter, moaning "Hansie didn't phone or speak to me, or say sorry. I couldn't understand that he got us into that s*** and then didn't stand up for us." Shame.

Victor Mpitsang (ODIs: 2; Wkts: 2; BB: 2/49; Ave: 31.50; Econ: 6.30)
Stepping into a the new-ball role long held by the legendary Allan Donald in February 1999, South Africa's youngest ODI cricketer (then 18 years and 314 days) quickly proved expensive despite nabbing two wickets in two balls. Six months later he was given another chance, this time as fourth change(!) and again fetched leather.

He is still trying to emulate Windies great Courtney Walsh's bowling action in domestic cricket and occasionally unleashes his lanky frame on the Free State's basketball courts.

Rudi Bryson (ODIs: 7; Wkts: 7; BB: 2/34; Ave: 46.14; Econ: 5.12)
After easing into international cricket with some decent showings against Zimbabwe, the podgy speedster and his zippy action came in for a right pasting at the hands of India and the Aussies.

Partnering Shaun Pollock with the new ball as South Africa looked to use Donald with the softer seam, Bryson's final shoddy showing took place in his hometown of Centurion as Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh heaved him all over the show.

Close calls: Charl Willoughby, Jon Kent, Garnett Kruger, Steven Jack, Brett Schultz.

12th Man...

Martin van Jaarsveld (ODIs: 11; Runs: 124; HS: 45; Ave: 20.66; SR: 73.37)
Currently clobbering runs left, right and center for Kent, the lanky 34-year-old failed to fulfill the potential he promised with the Proteas. 11 matches into his disappointing ODI career (seven of which were against whipping boys Zimbabwe or Bangladesh), the chop fell on him for the final time in late 2004.

The next year he did what any decent, discarded, self-respecting South African cricketer would do: fly the coop on a Kolpak contract.

Saffer fans young and old - who have we left out? Do let us know by popping us an email.

Jonhenry Wilson