South Africa’s cricket team has finally broken their semi-final jinx with a dominant victory over Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup 2024, marking their first-ever advance to a World Cup final.
South Africa’s journey in ICC tournaments has been marked by numerous semi-final heartbreaks. Here’s a look at their semi-final performances and how they finally turned the tide:
A History of Near Misses
- ICC ODI World Cup 1992: Lost to England by 19 runs.
- ICC ODI World Cup 1999: Match tied with Australia, but Australia advanced to the final based on superior group stage performance.
- ICC ODI World Cup 2007: Lost to Australia by 7 wickets.
- ICC T20 World Cup 2009: Lost to Pakistan by 7 runs.
- ICC T20 World Cup 2014: Lost to India by 6 wickets.
- ICC ODI World Cup 2015: Lost to New Zealand by 4 wickets.
- ICC ODI World Cup 2023: Lost to Australia by 3 wickets.
The Breakthrough In 2024
South Africa’s breakthrough came in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Afghanistan. The Proteas bowled out Afghanistan for a mere 56 runs, thanks to stellar performances from Marco Jansen (3/16), Kagiso Rabada (2/14), and Anrich Nortje (2/7). Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram led the chase, ensuring a smooth victory with nine wickets in hand and plenty of overs to spare.
The Road Ahead
This victory is not just a statistical milestone but a testament to South Africa’s resilience and determination to overcome past demons. Captain Aiden Markram lauded his team’s collective effort and the fans’ unwavering support back home. Marco Jansen, reflecting on his performance, emphasized the simplicity and execution of their game plan.
South Africa will now face the winner of the second semi-final between India and England, with hopes high for clinching their first-ever ICC World Cup trophy.
This historic win has revitalized South Africa’s cricketing narrative, providing a fresh chapter of hope and potential glory in the annals of international cricket. For more details on South Africa’s journey and past ICC semi-final records, you can visit.
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