T20 World Cup 2024: SWOT analysis of South Africa squad 

South Africa are a team with so much talent and potential but have not achieved anything in the game of cricket in the 21st century. Over the years, they have had powerful units and entered major tournaments as favorites, but won nothing but the ‘Chokers’ tag. 

Notably, never in history, the Proteas men have reached the final of the premier 20-over tournament. They were eliminated in the group stage of the previous World Cup edition.  

The 15-member squad from the Rainbow Nation is gearing up for another international event in June – the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup – but whether they can break the jinx this time around remains a clichéd question. The Aiden Markram-led side has a mix of experience and youth, but there are some questions surrounding their squad ahead of the tournament that starts on June 2. 

South Africa Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs

Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi

Let’s take a look at the SWOT analysis of the South Africa squad ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup

Strengths: 

Formidable batting unit 

It’s a no-brainer that South Africa’s key strength lies in their batting department. Experienced campaigner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order along with explosive Reeza Hendricks. Their middle-order is in the safe hands of captain Aiden Markram and dangerous Heinrich Klaasen. David Miller, aka Killer Miller, and young gun Tristan Stubbs in the lower middle-order to provide a strong finish. Not to forget, they have also included Ryan Rickelton who was sensational in the latest SA20 tournament. 

Weaknesses: 

An out-of-form pace bowling unit

South Africa’s weaknesses lie in their bowling department, especially the pace unit. Kagiso Rabada’s fast bowling will be heavily relied upon in the marquee event. Anrich Nortje and all-rounder Marco Jansen are other options available in this category. While Jansen got only limited opportunities in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Nortje endured a horror campaign and was also dropped from the Delhi Capitals squad. 

Opportunities:

A great chance to erase the tag of ‘chokers’

South Africa have not won any trophies in the 21st century. Their lone success in a major tournament was the 1998 Champions Trophy. Their current status as ‘chokers’ is a blessing in disguise as there is no pressure on their shoulders with nothing to lose. 

Threats: 

Addition of three left-arm spinners weakens the pace unit

South Africa have picked three left-arm spinners – Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi – in their World Cup squad. They also have a spin-bowling option in skipper Aiden Markram. The fact that the spinners were more economical for the Proteas than the pacers in the Caribbean may have forced the selectors to strengthen their spin unit. However, this could backfire for them as their pace department looks weak.