In 2003, he became the first South African to take 10 wickets at Lord's. Arguably his best performance, however, came when Ntini took 13 wickets for 132 runs against the West Indies in the Port of Spain on 12 April 2005. This remains the most wickets taken by a South African cricketer in a Test match. On 3 March 2006, Ntini also achieved the best bowling figures by a South African in an ODI, demolishing Australia with 6 wickets for 22 runs. A popular figure in South African sport, Ntini was voted their favourite sportsman in a research poll conducted by the South African Press Association. For his performances in 2006 and 2007, he was named in the World Test XI by ICC. He was also named in the World Test XI by Cricinfo.