ICC World Cup 2019: South Africa’s fateful journey in the history of the tournament
Of the 54 matches they have played in WC so far, South Africa have won 35, lost 17 and tied two.
World Cup 2003; failed to make it beyond group stage
This is the World Cup in which South Africa failed to cross the group stage. Led by Shaun Pollock, the Proteas had a forgettable start by losing to Windies by 3 runs. They then beat Kenya by 10 wickets; lost to New Zealand by 9 wickets by the then Duckworth-Lewis method; beat Bangladesh by 10 wickets; beat Canada by 118 runs before seeing another fateful tie with Sri Lanka in a rain-curtailed encounter.
It was later told that while chasing, SA made a mess of the target and missing out on a win eventually saw them getting booted out in the tournament which they had co-hosted along with Zimbabwe and Kenya.
World Cup 2007; lost to Australia in semi-finals
Graeme Smith’s SA were clubbed with Australia, the Netherlands and Scotland in Group A of this World Cup played in the Windies. The Proteas thumped the Netherlands by 203 runs and Scotland by 7 wickets but lost to Australia by 94 runs in a high-scoring chase.
In the Super Eight stage, South Africa overcame a Sri Lankan challenge narrowly by 1 wicket despite a hat-trick from Lasith Malinga. They defeated debutants Ireland by 7 wickets in D-L method but endured a shocking loss to Bangladesh by 67 runs.
The roller-coaster run continued as Smith’s men beat Windies by the same margin and then went down to New Zealand by 5 wickets next. SA ended the Super Eight stage as the fourth best team by wrapping up the league with a 9-wicket victory over England. They faced Australia again in the semi-finals but this time, it was a completely one-sided affair as the defending champions bundled out their opponents for just 149 and won by 7 wickets.
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