The South African and World Cup semi-finals used to be a sporting tragedy of Shakespearean proportions. No more. Shaking off the unwanted label of perennial “chokers”, the Proteas marched into their first T20 World Cup final unbeaten in Tarouba, Trinidad, comfortably defeating the tournament’s giant killers, Afghanistan. The triumph erased years of heartache and the trauma of being labeled an underperformer despite having some of the biggest names in international cricket in the line-up. Let’s take a look at the Proteas’ tormented past, when they failed to push the envelope at key moments in global events.
1992 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia
It’s not really a problem, just bad luck. Emerging after 22 years of exile following the end of apartheid in the country, South Agrica had everything going for them, their lightning-fast bowlers were excelling, their fielders were hitting sensational run-outs.
However, in the semi-final, the rain came and the equation went from a reasonably achievable 22 off 7 balls, to 22 off just one ball, thanks to a miscommunication on their revised target.
1996 ODI World Cup quarter-final against West Indies
After winning all their group games, Hansie Cronje and his men started as favorites against the West Indies in the quarter-finals. But Brian Lara played blindly as spinners Roger Harper and Jimmy Adams spun a web to inflict a 19-run defeat on the Proteas.
1999 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia
Perhaps the most devastating game in South African cricket history. The semi-final at Edgbaston that turned the tournament’s best player, Lance Klusener, into the World Cup’s greatest tragic hero.
Chasing a modest 214, South Africa needed nine in the final, with the final pair at the limit. Klusener hit the first two fours to level the scores, but Allan Donald was run out and the game was level.
Australia reached the final having won the previous game between the teams in the super sixes stage.
2007 ODI World Cup semi-final against Australia
South Africa’s decision to bat first backfired dramatically as a revered line-up, including the likes of Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher, were bowled out for 149. Australia finished the game with almost 20 balances to spare
2009 T20 World Cup semi-final against Pakistan
The Proteas defeated New Zealand, England, West Indies and India to reach the last four stages with plenty of confidence. But a miserly spell from Shahid Afridi held them back as they failed to chase down a reasonably decent 150.
2011 ODI World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand
A line-up comprising AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy failed to chase down a small target of 222 against New Zealand. At 108 for 3 in the 25 overs, South Africa looked set to cruise to victory but then lost the next seven wickets for 64 runs.
2013 Champions Trophy semi-final vs England
South Africa were reeling at 8/80 before David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt inflated the total to 175. But Jonathan Trott smashed an unbeaten 82 and England won by seven wickets with more than 12 overs to spare.
“I think we choked on the game. You have to accept that that’s it. It’s definitely a dark fog that hangs over South African knockout cricket,” coach Gary Kirsten said after the game.
2014 T20 World Cup semi-final against India
South Africa’s semi-final curse continued as they failed to get over the line in another decisive match. This time against an Indian clinical unit.
2015 ODI World Cup Semi Final vs New Zealand
The tide has not turned for the Proteas. A golden generation of South African cricketers, at their peak, had all the bases covered. But they were eliminated again by New Zealand in the semi-final stage, causing yet another disappointment.
2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 against Netherlands
A single win away from the semi-finals, South Africa suffocated, suffering a shock 13-run defeat to a lively Dutch team.
2023 ODI World Cup Semi Final vs Australia
The Proteas galloped through the league stage, even inflicting a massive 134-run defeat on Australia. But when it came to the crucial last four games, South Africa meekly surrendered to the men from Down Under in the semi-finals, for their fifth World Cup semi-final exit with over 50 points.
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