NEW DELHI: The South African team has lived with the 'chokers' tag since their World Cup debut in 1992 despite being one of the best sides in the league or group phase in most editions of ICC's showpiece 50-over tournament. And their run in the ongoing edition is following the same trend, as they face their toughest battle on Sunday against unbeaten hosts India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The South African hopes in the 1992 edition were dealt a blow by the DL system in their rain-hit semifinal against England. Then there was the infamous run-out of Allan Donald in 1999 in the tied semifinal, another defeat at the hands of the Aussies in 2007 semifinal, losing to NZ in 2011 quarter-finals and again bowing out in the semis of the 2015 World Cup.
That run of near-misses in the knockout stages has repeatedly led to South Africa being associated with 'choking' in crunch games.
Though the game against India is not a fixture that will have an impact on their semifinal chances as both the teams are already through to the last-four stage, but because it is their first real test of the tournament, the 'choking' question was asked from Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma at the press conference on Saturday.
For obvious reason, Bavuma wasn't happy and didn't stop himself from expressing his displeasure.
"To choke? I don't know how to answer that. I think if we come unstuck tomorrow (Sunday), I don't think it'll be a matter of choking. I doubt you would say that about India as well if they come unstuck, if they would choke," said an irked Bavuma.
"You've got two teams who are in form, coming up against each other; and I think it's just a matter of who breaks first and who's able to, I guess, exploit that moment or that weakness," he added.
"We'll deal with them as best as we can. But, yeah, I haven't heard that word (choke) come up as of yet in the training."
The game on Sunday in Kolkata is a battle between two most consistent teams of this World Cup. India are yet to be beaten after seven matches, and South Africa have lost just once in seven matches. As a result, both have qualified for the semi-finals, but the contest for the top spot in the table is very much on.
India currently lead the table with 14 points, while South Africa are No. 2 with 12. However, the Proteas enjoy a better net run rate (+2.290) compared to India (+2.102), and the result of their face-off will be crucial to who finishes on top. Both the teams will have one league match each left to play after this.
The South African batters have been plundering runs throughout the tournament, led by Quinton de Kock, who is the highest run-getter currently with 545 runs in seven matches, including four centuries. But the Indian bowlers, especially the pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, are on song and have taken the most wickets among all teams in the tournament so far.
