The CSA online survey has revealed that 96 per cent of fans agreed 2008 was the most successful year for South African cricket.

This came just days after Cricket South Africa (CSA) feted the Proteas in a glittering tribute at the 2009 South Africa Cricket Awards ceremony in Johannesburg.

The CSA CEO Gerald Majola said the online fan survey demonstrated the kind of support cricket enjoyed among the people in South Africa.

"This support is graphically illustrated in the most positive response to the online fan survey conducted on CSA's website," he said.

"We will study the results to ensure that we keep in touch with the fans. Their support was a critical factor in taking the Proteas to the world's top ODI spot and second in the Test rankings, and achieving the best results in South African cricket history over the 2008-09 season," said Majola.

"From May last year to April 2009, the Proteas achieved unparalleled success in the history of South African cricket, either before or after cricket unity in 1990, winning away Test series in both England and Australia and both the home and away ODI series against Australia," added Majola.

The online survey which ran concurrently with face-to-face research was launched by CSA in association with IFM Sports Marketing Surveys to better understand the modern cricket fan following the Proteas unprecedented successes over Australia.