South African cricket fans can be forgiven for currently spending their free time wondering about the ways in which their national team might pass up the opportunity of winning a maiden World Cup win. The reality is that the Proteas have often shot themselves in the foot when winning a Cricket World Cup looked easier than losing it.
Ominously, this juggernaut South African team now looks on course to lift their first World Cup trophy in 2023 which will spook fans of the Proteas back home; they know what happens next.
However, can this time be different, can Temba Bavuma’s men finally bring back the Cricket World Cup trophy to the Rainbow Nation?
The odds suggest history will repeat itself
If you bet on cricket, then you will be aware that the bookmakers remain unconvinced of South Africa’s ability to go all the way in India given that the Proteas are priced at +333 to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup.
You could argue that South Africa’s price of winning the World Cup is a curious one when you consider that Australia are at marginally better odds of +300 despite being beaten convincingly by the Proteas during the pool stage by 134 runs. On top of that, South Africa also managed to beat the Aussies in a five-match ODI series only a few weeks before the World Cup started.
The takeaway here has to be that these odds don’t necessarily dispute South Africa’s sensational form at the World Cup but rather cast doubt over their temperament when the pressure is cranked up during the knockout stages.
To some extent, you can understand why as the Proteas were beaten by the Netherlands during a pool game in Dharamshala when under severe pressure of their own making.
Indeed, chasing a tricky target in inhospitable conditions and against a fired-up Netherlands attack, the Proteas pushed the panic button and subsequently wilted under the snowcapped Himalayan mountains.
Crucial lessons learned as Proteas hold their nerve to beat Pakistan
This shock result was said to have exposed South Africa’s Achilles heel at the World Cup which is chasing a target. However, the Proteas bounced back to beat Pakistan in a nail-biting game when they chased down 271 soon after.
Admittedly, it was a nervy affair where South African teams of yesteryear might have faulted but the class of 2023 showed that they had the stomach for the fight.
Record breakers with willow in hand
While the Proteas may look slightly more vulnerable when chasing, they have been the most belligerent team at the tournament when it comes to setting targets. Indeed, with almost three weeks left to play at the 2023 tournament in India, South Africa have already set the record for hitting the most sixes ever at a World Cup after smashing 82 with two pool games to go. For comparison, 2019 World Cup champions England had only hit 77 at the conclusion of their winning campaign.
In addition to clearing the boundary with ease, the Proteas have also become the first country to score more than 350 runs on four different occasions at a single World Cup.
This feast of batting has been spearheaded by explosive left-handed opener Quinton de Kock who has notched up 545 runs in just seven games.
The all-time record for the most runs scored at an individual World Cup belongs to Sachin Tendulkar who amassed 673 during the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.
Just 128 runs behind the Little Master and with potentially four games left to go, De Kock, who is averaging 77.85 at the 2023 World Cup, stands on the brink of history.
History beckons
While some of these records that South Africa have racked up defy belief, the wider point is that this team is enjoying one of the most prolific World Cup campaigns ever witnessed. Yes, this doesn’t mean that the World Cup will be handed to South Africa – they will have to go out and win it by continuing this electric run of form.
However, should the Proteas keep their heads over the next few weeks and let muscle memory take over when pressurized situations arise – which they will, then they will surely win their first-ever World Cup.
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- Men’s Asia Cup 2025 To Be Held In UAE; ACC
- Ben Stokes Creates History With 11,000 International Runs And Rare 7,000 Runs-200 Wickets Test Feat
