South Africa, the only unbeaten team in the T20 World Cup, is poised to break their semi-final curse against New Zealand and potentially claim their first title, despite their historically poor record in knockout matches. Picture: ChatGPT,SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
Image: ChatGPT,SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
Before the T20 World Cup began, it’s fair to say that South Africa were not among the favourites to win the title, but ahead of their semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday, it’s difficult to see any other nation lifting the title.
That’s even with the infamous record of South Africa in Cricket World Cup knockout matches.
The Proteas remain the only unbeaten team in the tournament, and that includes big wins over New Zealand, the West Indies, and India.
Their seven-match unbeaten run has seen them line up a semi-final against the Kiwis, a rematch of the group stage meeting which SA won by seven wickets with just under three overs to spare chasing 176 for victory.
Of course, 2024 was the first occasion that South Africa’s men’s side broke their Cricket World Cup semi-final curse to set up a final against India. Though India would go on to win that edition, it seems that this time it could finally be different.
It has to be said though, South Africa won eight matches on the trot in the 2024 event before losing to India in the match that mattered most.
Here’s why it might just be different - South Africa did not come into this tournament with any kind of form that made anyone take notice. What they did have this time were a number of players that had found form in the SA20 for their franchise but had yet to combine effectively for the Proteas.
Even with more than a slight hiccup against Afghanistan, this side has slowly improved with each match of this tournament.
Now as they face New Zealand in what will be a rematch of the 2015 50-over Cricket World Cup which resulted in a heartbreaking loss for SA, every sign points to another dominant Proteas victory.
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