3 reasons why South Africa can make it to the ODI World Cup 2023 semi-finals

The Proteas are ready to spring up a surprise in the ODI World Cup 2023. Their track record in the World Cups has been really painful with close exits on multiple occasions. Right from the DLS disaster in the 1992 World Cup, choking at death in the 1999 World Cup to a dramatic exit in the 2015 World Cup semi-final in New Zealand. 

But this time around that trend can be put to an end because they have been under the radar for a long time and during that period, they have formed a solid team under the leadership of Temba Bavuma. One of the traits that will differentiate them from others is their fighting spirit and zeal to thrive under pressure.

Let’s look at three reasons why South Africa can make it to the Semi-finals of the ODI World Cup 2023.

3. Explosive batting lineup

South Africa’s batting lineup has come back to form with Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Quinton De Kock, and Heinrich Klassen getting runs in the recently concluded ODI series against Australia.  In the first One-day International, Temba Bavuma rescued a tittering Proteas batting order with a gutsy century to put up a target of 223 runs. In the third ODI De Kock, Bavuma scored half-centuries with captain Aiden Markram getting a fantastic ton. Later in the series Heinrich Klassen also displayed his skills with thunderous innings of 174 off 83 balls to demolish the Aussie bowling unit with the help of David Miller clicking at the other end. At the right moment, South African batsmen have found their form which would give the Proteas a lot of confidence before the World Cup.

All-rounders Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj provide a depth to the batting order which would help the top order to start off the innings with a bang and going all guns blazing in the powerplay. If in full flow, this South African batting order can annihilate any opposition. This threatening batting lineup is one of the prime reasons why the Proteas can qualify for the semi-finals. 

2. South African bowling unit

The South African bowling unit is second to none. Though they will miss Anrich Nortje still they have a lot of firepower in their bowling department. Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, and Marco Jansen form a threatening fast bowling combination along with options of spin such as Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj.

Kagiso Rabada will be leading their bowling department and having played a lot of matches for Delhi Capitals and now Punjab Kings would help him lead this unit in familiar Indian conditions. This pace trio has variations in it with a left-arm bowler in Marco Jansen. South Africa has decent spin bowling options in Left-arm wrist spinner Shamsi and left-arm orthodox Keshav Maharaj. This bowling lineup has the potential to help the South African cause and take them to the semi-finals.

1. The crisis has helped them emerge as a team

Apart from skill, the most important thing in any sport is the feeling of team spirit and we have witnessed this South African team emerge as a unit in recent times. When Bavuma was handed over the captaincy there were a lot of questions raised on this decision. His poor form also did not help him overcome those doubts. 

But those times are gone now. Bavuma has been in sublime form and he has been leading his team by example. They exhibited their belligerent attitude recently against Australia in the ODI series when they were trailing after losing the first two matches but made a brilliant comeback to dominate the Australians and win the series ultimately. This attitude of not leaving the ground before giving 100% makes them one of the most feared sides in this World Cup. 

South Africans have experienced a lot of heartbreaks in World tournaments but this time their campaign in India can end their drought as they have less burden of expectations but a side competent enough to overpower any opposition.