South Africa will be entering into the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with lots of confidence as they defeated Australia by a 3-2 margin after being 0-2 down in the series. Their batting looks solid with the likes of Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, David Miller, Klassen, and other batters that can put pressure on any opponent’s batting lineup.
As far as their bowling is concerned, Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury along with Sisanda Magala. They need to rely on Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, and Shamsi to keep the opponents under check.
With Quinton de Kock playing his last World Cup, Proteas would be looking to give him a fitting farewell by winning their first-ever senior trophy. They will begin their journey against Sri Lanka on 7th October at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi.
South Africa failed to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup played in England and Wales. They would be looking for much-improved performance and could trouble top opponents like Australia, New Zealand, England, and India.
Here we look at the SWOT Analysis of the South African Team:
Strengths
The South African batting order looks in great shape as the likes of Quinton de Kock, captain Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Heinrich Klassen, and Reeza Hendricks produced some brilliant innings for the hosts in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia.
Aiden Markram was named as man of the series for his 225 runs in 5 matches including 1 century and 1 half-century. Klassen also showed his brilliance with a sensational 174 during the 4th ODI at Centurion that helped South Africa post 416 for 5.
David Miller showed his class with some special knocks during the 4th and 5th One-day international. South Africa would be hoping that these players can click together to help South Africa post big totals and put pressure on the opponent team.
Weaknesses
South Africa will miss the service of Anrich Nortje in the death overs. Nortje has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Kagiso Rabada is the only experience that South African captain Temba Bavuma can rely upon while Marco Jansen, Lizaad Williams, Andile Phehlukawyo, and Coteeze would find it tough to contain the well-set batters.
Opportunities
South Africa would enter this tournament as the dark horse. They have performed brilliantly in the last 12 months in ODI format defeating World Champion England at home by 2-1 and then defeated Australia by 3-2 after being 0-2 down.
With the likes of explosive batters in the middle overs, they can put pressure on the opponent bowlers and not allow the bowlers to settle. If Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma can provide flying starts in the first 10 overs and the likes of Miller, and Klassen can smash big shots in death overs, South Africa can make sure that they hammer in death overs.
With Kock’s last WC, he would be eager to go a long way and help South Africa win their first-ever senior trophy.
Threats
South Africa has never done well under pressure and choked on important occasions. They need their top players to click so that they put opponents in trouble and keep their cool if qualifying for the knockouts keeping the momentum going right from the word go.
South Africa would be hoping to play attacking cricket in the tournament and remain calm under severe pressure as they need to ensure that their top players come up with important knocks.
Squads:
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Lizaad Williams.
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