South Africa Looks Past Former Ghosts and Hope for Change

No Nation in the Cricketing World feels the pain of a knock-out game as much as South Africa. Since their unlucky loss in 1992, the knock-outs turned out to be a ghost for them. Starting their World Cup journey in 1992, South Africa did not win a single knock-out game up until they finally got past Sri Lanka in the 2015 Quarter Finals.

On the way though there has been some heartbreaking and career-changing sets of losses. In 1992 the rain rule back then saw South Africa’s equation change from 23 off 13 to 22 off 1. The loss is one of the factors in encouraging the use of the Duckworth-Lewis method, but it occurred only after South Africa fell victim to the rain rule in a crucial stage.

In 1999, the first time South Africa and Australia faced off in a Semi-Final it was pure madness. They equaled Australia’s score before Allan Donald was run out by half a pitch with two balls to go. In what seemed like a brain fade by Lance Klusenar to call for a nonexistent second South Africa squandered a chance in the Final as it came calling.

In 2003, although it was not a Semi or quarter-final, South Africa were involved in a must-win game against Sri Lanka. Rain and madness combined this time. With a tight job done by the DL Method, Mark Boucher was unaware that they needed one run to go through. Instead, assuming his side was on par with the par score, he blocked a delivery to leave South Africa level with Sri Lanka, ending their hopes at a chance in the Semi-Finals.

The tag of chokers started to haunt South Africa. In 2007 they looked absolutely clueless as Glenn Mcgrath toyed with their batting line-up. A bad hour of cricket saw them fall to 149 which was easily chased down by the then defending champions.

The list goes on. In 2011, madness once again came in. This time it happened against New Zealand in what turned out to be a heated contest. Bowling really well, South Africa was in the game after the first half. The chase though saw them lose wickets in the most freakish manner possible. Hashim Amla caught by slip after hitting the ball onto his own foot started the proceedings. South Africa though recovered only to lose set batters in Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis against the run of play.

The heat though truly began when Ab De Villiers and Faf Du Plessis were in the middle. With De Villiers looking solid, there was a misjudgement from Faf which cost De Villiers his wicket via run-out. That turned out to be the turning point that day. Faf Du Plessis copped a fair bit and had some heated discussions with the New Zealand cricketers after that. He did fight with the bat but the damage had been done and South Africa missed out again.’

2015 though remains the most heartbreaking. South Africa went down-under for the World Cup with possibly their best line-up. They had an incredible fast-bowling unit, Imran Tahir, and their best batters in their prime. Ab De Villiers in particular was easily the best batter in the World at the moment.

The strength was on display as South Africa finally managed to win a knock-out game. They beat Sri Lanka in the Quarter-Finals and set up a rematch against New Zealand in the Semi-Finals. Rain and some good batting from Brendon McCullum and later Grant Elliot put New Zealand ahead. South Africa though was just as good. Both sides kept throwing punches and the game was on a knife edge throughout. Dale Steyn’s Final over though turned out to be the game-changer as Grant Elliot carried his team home.

The loss remains the toughest for them with the South Africans left visibly distraught after the encounter. Recovery did not start easily with their core heading past their prime. By the time the next World Cup came up Ab De Villiers and Morne Morkel were out and Dale Steyn was injured.

2019 turned out to be all the more difficult with South Africa losing three early and crashing out without a fight. Choking has been synonymous to them after all these moments. In this tournament as well the tag came up a few times. With a defeat to the Netherlands and really tough wins against Afghanistan and Pakistan South Africa looked like they still struggle when the going gets tough.

Batting second has not been their cup of tea. Further complications with quota systems and injury concerns remain for South Africa. Coming into the tournament though not many gave South Africa a chance. They had a decent side but not one that looked world-beating.

Six weeks on though and South Africa stands two wins away from immortality. They have had some dominating wins in the tournament. Now, with two games left South Africa will be waiting to step out in the Eden Gardens to bury the ghosts of the pasts for good.