South Africa would go to Australia and New Zealand as one of the front-runners to win the ICC World Cup 2015.
The way in which they destroyed West Indies in the recent ODI and T-20 at home only underscores the fact that they are a team in sublime form and cannot be taken lightly despite their long-standing World Cup jinx.
This time, they will up the ante to get past the ‘chokers’ tag.
There is so much quality in this team it’s terrifying.
They will enter the tournament as the third-ranked nation but with the two top-ranked batsmen in AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla.
Both of them are in top form and with support provided by likes of Faf du Plessie, Quinton de Kock and David Miller, they have a stellar batting line-up to showcase at the World Cup.
The Proteas possess arguably the best pace attack in world cricket – Dale Steyn can cause carnage, Morne Morkel can take teams apart and Imran Tahir has been a real hit in the limited-overs side despite proving to be expensive and non-threatening in Tests.
The only question remaining is the actual execution of managing the pressure moments.
Their record in knockout games at ICC events is heart-breaking — they’ve lost three semi-finals in six tournaments and in 2011 went out to New Zealand in the last eight having cruised through the group stage. A repeat of which cannot be ruled out.
Beyond the psychological scars of the ‘chokers’ tag, the big weakness in this team appears to be the back-up seam bowling apart from Steyn and Morkel.
Team coach Russell Domingo will look to bring his domestic success on the international stage as he prepares the team mentally to bring the elusive cup home.
Key players
AB de Villiers
The protean magician, he is presently one of the most outrageous hitters of the ball. There is no place to bowl a safe delivery to AB when he wants to hit out at their bowling.
Hashim Amla
Oozing with class from beard to toe, he is a modern-day player who is known to excel at crunch situations. Amla’s immense concentration skills and his never ending thirst for runs has ensured that he is the natural successor to the big scoring Jacques Kallis in the South African line-up.Â
Dale Steyn
His pinpoint pure pace poison-tipped bowling combined with his aggression makes him a force to reckon with. Inarguably, Steyn is the best speedster in the business today.
Dark horse
Quinton de Kock: He is a dashing opening batsman and capable wicketkeeper and is a good add to a squad short on quality allrounders.
Vernon Philander: Powerful and talented, he has the ability to move the ball both ways at a sharp speed, and relentlessly attack the stumps over long spells. His handy contributions lower down the order makes him an all-rounder to watch out for.Â
Full Squad: AB de Villiers (capt,wk), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.