South Africa vs Australia, World Cup Semi-final: Indomitable Aussies face off against under-pressure Proteas

338. 416. 315. 311. Those are South Africa’s scores in the last four matches they have played against Australia. Temba Bavuma’s men also come into Thursday’s mouth-watering semi-final clash having won eight of the last 10 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), including the last four, they’ve played against Australia. In the series between the two teams preceding the World Cup, South Africa fought back from 0-2 down to win the last three. World Cup 2023:  News |  Schedule |  Results |  Points table Numbers don’t lie. And based on those numbers above, South Africa should be the overwhelming favourite. Right? Well… The thing is…a South Africa-Australia World Cup semi-final doesn’t always follow prevailing trends. As cricketing fans of a certain disposition will tell you, strange things can happen. Suicidal run-outs leading to incredible ties. And the start of the tag that has come to define South African cricket over the last two decades: 'chokers'.

1999 vs 2007 But amidst the many discussions we have about that 1999 World Cup semi-final, one often tends to forget that the two teams met each other in the 2007 World Cup semi-final as well. Perhaps, the reason why that doesn’t get discussed is the abjectness of South Africa’s batting display in that match - having won the toss and electing to bat first, South Africa were bundled out for a mere 149 with Australia knocking off the runs, waltzing through to the final and another World Cup title. It’s that kind of performance that South Africa must guard against. Because let’s face it, a 1999-like event is unique, a black swan. We’re rarely going to see that again. But knowing South Africa’s mental frailties and their track record at the knockout stage of big tournaments, it is far likelier that they crumble under pressure. Especially against a team with as big-game temperament as Australia. Ah, Australia. At the beginning of the tournament, there was a point where Australia were bottom of the table, having lost their first two games. The cricketing world collectively held its breath. Were we finally going to see a World Cup where Australia would be rubbish? Where they would fail? Karmic justice for all those tournaments where they’ve dominated the rest of us?

Will third time be the charm for #SouthAfrica as they face #Australia in the semifinal of #CWC23 or will the Aussies continue their run of form & book their place in yet another #CWC final?

Tune-in to Semi-Final 2 #SAvAUS
THU, 16 NOV, 12 PM | Star Sports Network#WorldCupOnStar pic.twitter.com/tNfxMw1OnD

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 13, 2023

You can never count Australia out Wishful thinking. Australia australia-d. They went on a run of seven consecutive victories, digging out victory from improbably tough situations (case in point, the games against New Zealand and Afghanistan). Now that they are in the semi-finals, it is dangerous to look beyond them. There’s an aura Australian cricket teams of all vintages carry in the knockout stages of a global tournament. If South Africa can uncharitably be called “chokers”, Australia know how to step up when the spotlight is on them. Read: The biggest show yet, Maxwell takes batting to a rarefied realm South Africa also have another handicap - their chasing credentials. As has become evident through this World Cup, they have some serious problems when they bat second. Batting first, their batters have definite plans. But when it comes to chasing, they are nervy and unsure. Add the pressure of a semi-final, that too against Australia at the hallowed Eden Gardens and you know that Bavuma will desperately hope he wins the toss on Thursday. For South Africa, the greatest motivation has to be a chance to write a new narrative. Beat Australia and get to the final and they will take a big step towards erasing the “chokers” tag, whatever happens in the final. If that motivation can drive the Proteas, they will find a way to overcome their toughest challenge yet. Australia? They don’t need any motivation. They’ve been here before; they know how it’s done. For that reason, they probably start off as slight favourites before this big match.