A little like the All Blacks, the South African cricket team have mastered the art of turning up at major tournaments highly fancied and then finding a way of getting knocked out. In 1992 they weren’t helped by the farcical rain rules in their semi-final against England (although at the point that the rain came they needed twenty-two from thirteen balls with Dave Richardson, who wasn’t noted for his ability to hit the ball off the square, at the crease), in 1999 there was the horrible run out of Allan Donald in the semi-final and in 2003 the most ludicrous of all when they mis-read the Duckworth-Lewis scores and were knocked out by Sri Lanka.
They have arrived in India well fancied once more. Their batting looks strong, with Hashim Amla in particular well suited to the pitches that they will encounter, and in Dale Steyn they have the best bowler in the world. Chuck the explosive talents of AB De Villiers and the all-round excellence of Jacques Kallis into the mix and this is a combination to be reckoned with.
Doubts persist, however. Graeme Smith has been in charge for a long time but his captaincy remains worryingly inflexible at times. There are also concerns about the spin bowling – Johan Botha has an average of over forty with the ball in ODIs and Robin Peterson’s average is over fifty and much may depend on the unproven international talents of Imran Tahir. They must also be concerned that the conditions may neutralise Morne Morkel, leaving much resting on the shoulders of Steyn and the impressive Tsotsobe.
The decision to omit Mark Boucher has also raised some eyebrows, and if they decide to use AB De Villers as their keeper South Africa could end up shooting themselves in the foot. It is always harder for part time keepers on slower, lower pitches where they will be expected to stand up and it would also deprive them of their best fielder. If, however, he can continue to impress with the bat and his keeping is up to scratch then it could turn out to be an inspired gamble.
Much will depend upon: The spinners. If Botha and/or Peterson can keep things tight and if Tahir can live up to expectations then they will be serious challengers, but if not then it could be a painful experience.
Verdict: Quarter-finals
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