Is it the Proteas’ time to shine at the Cricket World Cup?

Heading into the playoffs, South Africa’s history at the Cricket World Cup might prevent us from raising our hopes too high, but the national team really are giving us reason to believe.

There were multiple concerns ahead of the showpiece. The batting unit were blowing hot and cold, the bowling attack lost key paceman Anrich Nortje, and while they had been given freedom to play more aggressively by the coaching staff, they seemed to have a one-dimensional approach.

A ‘go big or go home’ style of cricket is exciting to watch, but the ability to adapt to game situations and conditions is crucial in a World Cup tournament which demands consistency in return for success.

And while the Proteas opened their campaign in style, a shock defeat to the Netherlands highlighted the questions which hung over them in search of their maiden global title.

Since then, however, they have looked as well-rounded and complete as we could possibly want them to be.

All-rounder Marco Jansen has done well to replace Nortje as the spearhead of the frontline attack, and his ability to get movement out of the ball has proved useful on India’s tracks. He has also been well backed by Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, and spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi.

In addition, the attack has proved in the last couple of games that they can bowl out their opposition cheaply, after being criticised for allowing tails to wag earlier in the competition.

In-form batters

Equally impressive have been the top-order batters, most of whom are in spectacular form, as is evident by their record-breaking efforts throughout the tournament.

Quinton de Kock has been particularly good, as he paints a fairytale end to his ODI career, but he has been well supported by Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen and Aiden Markram, who have all scored centuries in the opening round.

Most importantly, however, the Proteas have shown that they can adapt and change their approach when necessary, alleviating concerns that they tend to capitulate if they lose early wickets.

Growing confidence

It is perhaps the biggest blemish in South African sport that the Proteas men’s side have never reached a World Cup final in any format. Dare we believe this might be their time?

They will have to be at their best again in the playoffs and they’ll probably need a bit of luck, with mighty hosts India likely to enter the last four as title favourites, but the SA team have been superb and any confidence we have in them has been well earned.

Past results and shock defeats are indeed standing in the way of bold claims that South Africa can back up their Rugby World Cup trophy with the cricket crown.

But if form is anything to go by (and of course it is) then we have every reason to believe they can do it.

Just don’t say it too loudly. We don’t want to jinx it.