2017 in review: Proteas still lack a sense of occasion

Say what you will about the Proteas, they are really consistent.

2017 was proof of that.

Like many times before, they at times proved unbeatable before all their form deserted them at a major tournament.

That was the painful case again at the Champions Trophy in England, where the Proteas didn’t even manage to get out of the group stages after going into the tournament as the No 1 ranked team in the world.

It certainly undid much of the good work that seemed to had been done in the lead up to the showpiece, especially the emergence of quite a few all-rounders.

A difficult tour of England was a reality check for a side that still relies much on a grand group of wise men (Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Morne Morkel) but the emergence of Aiden Markram and continued excellence of Kagiso Rabada was promising.

However, with a new coach in Ottis Gibson, the true test wasn’t in 2017.

It lies ahead in 2018 … against India and Australia.

Highlight of the year

There were undoubtedly quite a few.

David Miller’s quickest 100 in a T20 international against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom finally showed us why he’s so highly rated.

South Africa’s tight 3-2 ODI series win over New Zealand in New Zealand was also compelling in its own way.

But let’s go for Faf du Plessis’ magnificent 185 against Sri Lanka in the 4th ODI at Newlands.

The Proteas captain does so much for the team and so little for himself.

He deserves this one…

Disappointment of the year

This one’s pretty easy.

The meek showing at the Champions Trophy was, frankly, embarrassing for a settled side.

Controversy of the year

That T20 Global League was a big stuff-up but that really didn’t have much to do with the Proteas and everything with CSA’s poor corporate governance.

AB de Villiers’ decision in January to ditch Test cricket temporarily certainly raised a pretty big stink.

But it was CSA’s decision to advertise Russell Domingo’s coaching post slap bang in the middle of the season that should’ve been handled better.

It meant the Proteas went to England under a cloud of uncertainty and it really did have an effect on the results.

Star of the year

He’s unfashionable but he’s very effective.

In a year where the Proteas’ batting was brittle, Dean Elgar showed his mettle as a bulldog of an opener.

It wasn’t always pretty yet the left-hander really did show an appetite for runs and rare application.

Funniest moment of the year

Nothing like Mother Nature to keep everyone humble and on their toes…

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