ab de villiers

South Africa's touring Proteas played their part on Neslon Mandela International Day by hosting a coaching clinic for a group of under-17 cricketers in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Thursday.

South Africans Hashim Amla, Dale Steyn and Jacques Kallis were among the five players named Cricketers of the Year in the 150th edition of the "Cricketer's Bible", Wisden, on Wednesday.

Johannesburg's Wanderers cricket stadium was pink all over on Sunday as the South African one-day international team did its bit in the fight against breast cancer, with a world record thrown in for good measure during the third ODI against Pakistan.

The Proteas' slim chance of reaching the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 fell away when Pakistan beat Australia on Tuesday. That left South Africa with nothing but pride to play for against India. In a roller-coaster contest, AB de Villiers and company exited the competition with a one-run loss.

The first cricket test between South Africa and England at The Oval, even with a day to go, has delivered a host of records for the Proteas, including the first ever triple-century by a South African in a test match, thanks to Hashim Amla.

After a record-breaking season in which he captured 51 wickets in his first seven test matches - only one man, way back in 1888, ever bagged his first 50 faster - Vernon Philander has been named South African Cricketer of the Year.

Jacques Kallis was named SA Cricketer of the Year at the 2011 South African Cricket Awards Gala Dinner held this week. He was also named the Castle Test Cricketer of the Year, and also scooped the KFC "So Good!" Award for his century in both innings against India in Cape Town in January.

Gary Kirsten, the former star Proteas batsman who coached India to an ICC World Cup crown and the number one ranking in test cricket, has been appointed head coach of South Africa's national cricket team.

South Africa's AB de Villiers was justly rewarded for a sensational season when he was named ICC one-day international Player of the Year in Bangaluru, India on Wednesday evening.

It was a case of mission accomplished at Edgbaston on Saturday as South Africa claimed victory in the third test over England to secure an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the four-match series.