Mitchell Starc claims it's not on Australia's mind, and South Africa couldn't be blamed for not wanting to talk about it.
But there is no denying that when it comes to cricket World Cups, the semi-finals have long been South Africa's story of misery.
Thursday night's clash against Australia will be South Africa's fifth World Cup semi-final. To date, they have won none.
And once the Proteas' two Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals have been factored in, the Rainbow Nation's record slips to an even worse-looking 0-6.
From Sydney's rain to Allan Donald not running and Grant Elliott's heroics for New Zealand, the semi-finals are officially a graveyard for South Africa.
"I'm happy for you guys to make as much out of that as you like," Starc said this week.
"But for us it's certainly about what we can do really well this week."
Australia have so often been involved in South Africa's semi-final nightmares.
So too, has rain, and wet weather us forecast for match host city Kolkata this week.
In 1992, South Africa looked a chance of booking a spot in the final when they needed 22 from 13 balls against England.
Rain set in, the use of a reserve day was decided against, and under the rules that came before Duckworth-Lewis, South Africa required 21 from one ball when play resumed.
The Proteas' 1999 exit is perhaps the only one in World Cup history more iconic.
In one of the greatest ODIs of all time, Lance Klusener took the Proteas to within touching distance of their first final.
But in arguably the most-replayed ball in World Cup history, Damien Fleming's 10-pin bowling effort had Donald run out and Australia advanced with a tie as the higher qualifiers.
Eight years later in the Caribbean, South Africa's defeat at the hands of Australia was a tad more comprehensive.
Glenn McGrath took 3-18 and Shaun Tait 4-39 as the Proteas were bowled out for 149, before Australia hauled the target in within 31.3 overs.
And in 2015 it was South African-born Elliott who ended their title hopes, as he helped smash 15 from the final over to send New Zealand to the decider.
Again, rain in Auckland had cruelled the Proteas, after it stunted their momentum with the bat.
"They're a very different group to 2015," Starc said.
"Looking back we probably thought they were the only team that could beat us at that stage of the tournament. And then we didn't play them."
The Proteas have also attempted to distance themselves from history this week, with just two players left from 2015 and most too young to remember past failings.
"In 1999 I was 10 years old, so I don't remember too much," batsman Rassie van der Dussen said.
"In 2007 I suppose on the day the team didn't execute like they wanted to and that's fine. It's going to happen like that.
"Someone's going to win and someone's going to lose."
SOUTH AFRICA'S WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL MISERY
1992: Lost to England by 19 runs
1999: Tied with Australia, eliminated
2007: Lost to Australia by seven wickets with 18.3 overs to spare
2009: Lost to Pakistan by seven runs (T20)
2014: Lost to India by six wickets with five balls to spare (T20)
2015: Lost to New Zealand by four wickets with one ball to spare (DLS method).
