South Africa, one of the earliest nations to play international cricket, is one of the strongest teams in the world today. However, they have been subject to heartbreaks many times in this beautiful game which seems mighty cruel at times. While it is only natural for a team to experience heartbreaking losses occasionally, the South Africans are incredibly unlucky in this game. From poor performances when it mattered the most to rain gods playing their part, let us look at some of the most heartbreaking moments in the history of South African cricket.
1. 2003 World Cup: Group Stages
One of the most gross miscalculations saw South Africa crash out of the 2003 World Cup. With 229 being the par score in 45 overs, Mark Boucher hit Muralidaran for a six to reach 229, only to deny a single on the last bowl of the 45th over. What he did not realize was that 229 was a par score for a tie, and not for a win. South Africa needed one more run to proceed. The untaken run then cost them a place in the next round. It was a defeat that hurt even more as they were the co-hosts for the World Cup.
2. 2007 World Cup: Semi Finals
Having won the toss and elected to bat first, South Africa made a horrible mess of the game as the deadly duo of Shaun Tait and Glenn McGrath tore through their batting order to restrict them to a meager total of 149. Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke made light work of the target, as Australia won the match with almost 20 overs to spare. South Africa thus failed to deliver when it mattered the most.
3. 2022 T20 World Cup: Group Stages
With rain washing out the game with West Indies, South Africa needed a win over the Netherlands to book their spot in the Semi-Finals of the tournament. However, Roelof van der Merwe, the ex-South African, had other plans when he grabbed a screamer to dismiss David Miller, thereby ending South Africa’s hopes to advance in the tournament. They fell 13 runs short in that shocking defeat.
4. 2013 Champions Trophy: Semi-Finals
Put into bat first, South Africa saw a batting collapse as they went eight wickets down for just 80 runs. They ended their innings on 175, which was a below-par score, leaving no doubt as to who would win the game. Again, it was the South African-born Jonathan Trott and Joe Root who led England to a comfortable 7-wicket win with 75 balls to spare.
5. 1996 World Cup: Quarter Final
Running on a winning streak of 10 matches in ODI cricket, South Africa was the favorites heading into the match. Batting first, West Indies put on a score of 264 powered by Brian Lara’s 94 ball 111. The fifties from Andrew Hudson and Daryll Cullinan, went unsupported by other batters as South Africa fell 19 runs short of the target. In addition to ending their winning streak, the defeat also sent them out of the competition, thus extending the wait for an ODI World Cup.
6. 2011 World Cup: Quarter Final
A dominant performance in the group stages made it seem as though South Africa would ease past all of their remaining opponents to win the World Cup finally. It was not supposed to be, as they fell to New Zealand in the Quarter Finals after another batting collapse. Chasing 221, they were comfortably moving at two wickets down for 108 runs when Kallis got out, followed by de Villiers, triggering a collapse. The once easy-to-chase target was missed by 49 runs, causing heartbreak once for the Proteas.
7. 2002 Champions Trophy: Semi Final
Batting collapses in important matches is an unwanted love story for South Africa. Being set a target of 261, the Proteas looked in a commanding position with only one wicket down at 191 runs. Herschelle Gibbs then retired hurt, thus commencing the batting collapse. The Proteas could only reach 251 in their 50 overs, all thanks to the five wickets taken between them by Harbhajan Singh and Virendra Sehwag, which sent the South Africans crashing out.
8. 1999 World Cup: Semi Final
Perhaps the unluckiest game in the Proteas history, their situation was somewhat similar to that of New Zealand in the 2019 CWC Final. Australia made 213, which seemed easily achievable once Lance Klusener hit Damien Fleming for two fours, which left just one run to get off four balls. However, a mix-up with Allan Donald saw the last wicket fall and the match tied. Due to no super over or a bowl out at the time, Australia progressed courtesy of a better net run rate.
9. 2015 World Cup: Semi Finals
In his last World Cup match, de Villiers led South Africa in the Semi-Finals of the 2015 World Cup. New Zealand, chasing a target of 298, nearly fumbled along the way if not for the poor display of fielding from the Proteas. With a missed catch and two run-outs, which could have changed the course of the game, the defeat left not only the South African players but also thousands of their fans heartbroken.
10.1992 World Cup: Semi Final
Coming back from the international ban, it seemed South Africa would make a grand comeback onto the cricketing stage. Chasing a target of 252, the Proteas looked sure to win with 22 needed off 13 balls. However, the rain gods decided to play a part as the players were forced to take a break of 10 minutes. Coming back, they needed the same amount of runs in just one delivery under the rules of the game at that time. England moved on to the finals of the tournament, wounding the South African hearts.
