South Africa Preview – 2003 Cricket World Cup

South Africa go into most World Cups as one of the strong contenders. However, despite promising a lot, the Proteas are yet to get their hands on the coveted trophy. South Africa have played four semifinals thus far in 1996, 1999, 2007 and 2015, but every other time, they ended up on the losing side.
In 2019, they had an outing equivalent to a nightmare. They won only three out of nine matches, finished seventh and crashed out of the tournament. In 2023, the team, captained by Temba Bavuma, will be looking to make amends.
Bavuma’s men are scheduled to start their campaign against Sri Lanka on Saturday, October 7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
In 64 World Cup matches since 1992, South Africa have won 38 matches and lost 23. Two matches ended in ties while one match did not produce a result.

South Africa Batters Analysis

South Africa have a strong batting lineup at their disposal, especially after their performance in the five-match ODI series against Australia. Temba Bavuma is expected to open the batting for the Proteas. Reeza Hendricks can also bat at the top of the order, but might have to wait for his chance.
Bavuma was in excellent form in the series, having scored 217 runs with a top score of 114 not out. Aiden Markram has been a fulcrum of their middle order for quite some time and his role is expected to hold a lot of importance. Rassie van der Dussen has been one of their most consistent batters and adds solidity to the batting lineup.

Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller are dangerous prospects in the middle order. Klaasen was the leading run-scorer in the series for South Africa after he hammered 243 runs from five matches at an average of 48.60 and a strike-rate of 158.82.
In the fourth ODI of the series at the SuperSport Park in Centurion, Klaasen smashed 174 runs off 83 balls with 13 fours and as many sixes. On the back of his knock, the hosts put up a huge score 416 for five. The Proteas also broke India’s record of most 400 plus team score in ODIs.
Apart from Bavuma, De Kock, Markram, Klaasen and Miller, the Proteas have batting depth. On their days, the likes of Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Andile Phehlukwayo can do a lot of damage with the bat.

South Africa Wicketkeepers Analysis

The Proteas have two options to choose from as far as wicketkeeping is concerned. Quinton de Kock has kept wickets in 144 ODIs and is also South Africa’s all-time leading run-scorer as a designated wicketkeeper in ODIs. He also kept wickets in the ODIs against the Proteas.
In De Kock’s absence, the Proteas have another option in the form of Heinrich Klaasen, who has kept wickets in 14 ODIs thus far. But until De Kock is fit, it is unlikely that Klaasen will get to don the keeping gloves.

However, both players are expected to feature in the playing XI for the Proteas barring any unforeseen circumstances. Klaasen has kept wickets only once earlier this year against England in Kimberley.

South Africa Bowlers Analysis

Prior to the World Cup, South Africa were dealt with two huge blows after Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala were ruled out due to injuries. Back in 2019, Nortje missed the World Cup because of injury and he suffered the same fate even this time around.
The speedster is suspected to have a back stress fracture that he developed during the second ODI against the Aussies. Magala, on the other hand, has missed the bus after sustaining an injury on his left knee. The Proteas have called up Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams as replacements for Nortje and Magala.

Kagiso Rabada is expected to be the leader of the pack. The fast bowler has played nine matches in the 50-over World Cup thus far and picked up 11 wickets at an economy rate of 5.08. Lungi Ngidi is most likely to be his new-ball partner. South Africa also have Lizaad Williams and Gerald Coetzee as the other specialist fast bowling options.
Coetzee has played 11 matches for South Africa across formats, but has been a popular name in foreign T20 leagues around the world. Phehlukwayo and Marco Jansen are the all-round options, but it is unlikely that South Africa will include both in the same XI.
Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj are the spinners and in Indian conditions, it would not be a surprise if both play in the same XI. Shamsi played two matches in the 2019 World Cup, although he could not pick up a wicket.
But with 63 wickets to his name from 46 ODIs, the left-arm wrist spinner is expected to bowl well in the middle-overs. Shamsi does not have great numbers in India and he would want to improve them as well. Maharaj is likely to come in handy as the pitches on Indian soil are expected to give him a lot of assistance.

Cricket World Cup 2023 – South Africa Predictions and Summary

South Africa is one of the teams that have mostly underperformed in world events despite having some of the best players in the business, including the likes of Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers among others. They have many players, who are aware of conditions in India.
But with so much competition around, the Proteas may well fall short of finishing in the top four. Nortje missing out has been a major blow for them as the pacer is capable of rattling batters with his sheer pace.
South Africa’s fate will depend heavily on how their experienced players, including De Kock, Miller, Van der Dussen and Rabada perform. Most importantly, it all will come down to whether South Africa can hold their nerve in the big event.

Full Squad – South Africa
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.