Former captain AB de Villiers has suggested the Proteas maintain a low profile during this month’s bid to win the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
South Africa beat Sri Lanka in the opening match of the tournament last week – and will play Australia on Thursday.
“The longer we can fly under the radar, the better, as those are often the tournaments you win. Suddenly you get to a semi-final, and it is knockout cricket where anything can happen,” the International Cricket Council’s website quoted de Villiers as saying.
“I have a funny feeling this might just be the year – I just hope those fine margins are on our side this time.”
South Africa have never won the Cricket World Cup. They have exited the tournament at the semi-final stage four times.
“They are all playing in a way that reminds me of the 2015 World Cup, when we reached the semi-finals before narrowly losing to New Zealand in what was a harsh reminder of the fine margins in international cricket,” added de Villiers.
“We played with absolute freedom every single game and I remember that semi-final really feeling like we played our dream game, with a few dropped catches ultimately costing us.”
The Proteas are without fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala, who were initially included in the World Cup squad but later withdrawn due to injury.
“All the focus has been on the batters, but this is a huge test for the bowling attack if South Africa want to be seen as real contenders, especially without Anrich Nortje – no-one knows how to get it done at World Cups like Australia,” concluded de Villiers.
“The loss of Nortje to injury is a real blow and means there is extra pressure on Kagiso Rabada to lead the attack. I spoke to him last week and he is determined to step up to the plate and lead by example as one of the best bowlers in the world.”