DEJECTION FILE. New Zealand batsman Grant Elliott (R) celebrates with teammate Daniel Vettori (L) following their win as South African bowler Dale Steyn sits dejected during the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Eden Park in Auckland on March 24, 2015. Picture: Marty Melville / AFP
Image: Marty Melville / AFP
It’s a match that lives on in infamy for South African cricket, that day South Africa were knocked out of the Cricket World Cup in the semi-finals by New Zealand in 2015.
On Wednesday the teams will square off once again, this time in the Champions Trophy in Lahore, Pakistan, for a place in the final.
Widely regarded as South Africa’s golden generation with players like skipper AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander, the Proteas were seemingly headed for victory before New Zealand’s SA-born Grant Elliot hit the winning runs off the penultimate delivery of their innings.
It was a heartbreaking defeat that ranks up there with the 1999 Cricket World Cup semi-final tie with Australia which sent South Africa packing.
Against New Zealand 10 years ago though, South Africa were considered the favourites with the players they had at their disposal and having been impressive in their run to the semis.
Of course, rain also had its say - as it usually does with the Proteas at ICC events - and South Africa would have felt frustrated to post 281 in their rain-shortened 43 overs when De Villiers (65 not out), Du Plessis (82) and Miller had carted the Kiwi attack all over the park.
Then there was the controversy over the selection of Vernon Philander returning from injury over the in-form Kyle Abbott for the clash. Just how big an effect that off-field issue had on the result will never be known, but it’s a relief this time around there should be no such problem.
Instead, the Proteas will approach the match without too many expectations this time around. In fact, it’s difficult to gauge just how well the Proteas are playing at the moment.
With their Group B clash against Australia rained out and the points shared, South Africa were completely dominant against Afghanistan and a poor England side in their other matches in the tournament so far.
However, a knockout match against New Zealand will be a different prospect indeed, and if the Proteas are looking for any extra motivation the ghosts of 2015 will be looking for revenge.
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