The Proteas have navigated their way through the group stages of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Their journey has not been without hiccups. They put on a less than convincing performance against neighbouring Zimbabwe, slumped to their heaviest defeat in World Cup history at the hands of India and failed to chase down a moderate total against Pakistan.
At the start of the tournament many pundits predicted that South Africa would finally lift the coveted World Cup trophy. Former South African opening batsman Kepler Wessels predicted that South Africa would meet Australia in the final. Not a bad prediction given the nature of the pitches in Australia, the form of both teams and ranking leading into the tournament. This would be the dream final for most die-hard South African cricket fans. When South Africa were obliterated by India in their second match, the dream final became an improbability. That all changed when the weather had the final say in the match between Australia and Bangladesh. Australia went into their crunch encounter against New Zealand with their preparation disturbed by bad weather and key members of their batting line-up yet to find form. New Zealand on the other hand looked a far more settled unit with captain Brendon McCullum leading from the front. His aggressive brand of fearless cricket has been a feature of the World Cup to date. It’s not surprising that New Zealand came out on top. With Australia and New Zealand both winning the remainder of their group matches they closed out group A in positions one and two respectively. South Africa despite a disappointing loss to Pakistan were able to hold on to second spot in Group B courtesy of a superior net rate. With South Africa and Australia both finishing second in their respective groups, a World Cup final between these powerhouse teams is now a distinct possibility.
In order to set up a mouth-watering final against Australia, the men from the rainbow nation need to accomplish something that they have never done before ~ win a knockout match at a World Cup. If form is anything to go by then the Proteas will need to sweep past three teams, all of whom have knocked them out of previous World Cups.
The Quarter-Final
South Africa will face Sri Lanka in the first quarter final. Few will ever forget the day Mark Boucher misread the Duckworth-Lewis calculation which sent Sri Lanka into the super six stage on the tournament and South Africa crashing out of yet another ICC World Cup. That look on Shaun Pollock’s face will be engraved in our memory forever. Thankfully no rain is forecast for Wednesday’s quarter-final.
South Africa will be buoyed by the fact Rangana Herath remains in doubt for tomorrow’s quarter-final especially since the pitch at the Sydney Cricket Ground should offer assistance to the spinners.
Kumar Sangakkara has been in scintillating form throughout the tournament. If the Proteas harbour any hope of progressing to the semi-final then they will need to see the back of Sangakkara early.
The Semi-Final
If the Proteas manage to cross the line against Sri Lanka then New Zealand will more than likely be their semi-final opponents. The Proteas will be able to draw on their recent success against the Blackcaps. However, that was a bilateral series and New Zealand were without star batsman Kane Williamson. In the 2003 World Cup South Africa were unable to find an answer to Stephen Fleming and it was that subsequent loss that spelled the beginning of the end of the Proteas World Cup campaign. Fast forward eight years, the same team, the same result. Another disappointment, another haunting memory. Seven members of that side form an integral part of the current Proteas line up and they will surely be looking to redeem themselves.
South Africa got the better of New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum during the last bilateral series between these two nations. South Africa will be hoping that trend continues if they meet in the semi-final.
Tim Southee and Trent Boult have been phenomenal during this World Cup. South Africa will need to find a way to combat the swing of this new ball pair. Early wickets upfront could spell disaster for the Proteas.
The Grand Final
1999, the origin of the infamous chokers tag, for South Africans a memory too painful to talk about yet too vivid to forget. South Africa went into that tournament as genuine favourites, a team with no apparent weakness, a side that seemed destined for greatness…it wasn’t to be.
In 2007, Australia beat South Africa convincingly in the group stages of the tournament. These two sides squared off once again in the semi-final. This time the Proteas attempted a change of tactic, fighting fire with fire, but it appeared as nothing more than carefree aggression. The Australian juggernaut snuffed out the Protea fire once again, Shaun Tait and Nathan Bracken the chief destroyers on the day.
If this is the final of the 2015 Cricket World Cup and the Proteas choose to come out swinging against the Aussie speedsters, then they might find themselves scratching their heads at the end of the game, with a sense of déjà vu, wondering once again where it all went wrong.
A rivalry steeped in history, a chance to confront the ghosts that have haunted South African cricket for sixteen years. It’s not just a final, it’s a chance to create history, a chance to set the record straight and put the chokers tag to bed for good.
A dream, a poetic story or reality?
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