It’s quite a surprise that South Africa have yet to win a World Cup. It’s often put forward that their last Test team before international boycott, which thrashed Australia in its backyard, was perhaps the world’s finest cricket team. Since post-apartheid readmission in top-level South Africa have been less spectacular but solid and relentless. Australia apart, they have been more consistent than any other side and have even given the Australians more than a few bruises.
Alas, all South Africa have to show for it in terms of silverware is the maiden Wills International (i.e. ICC Champions) Trophy, from 1998. Graeme Smith, the bloody-minded 32-year-old who has captained the side for almost half of its post-apartheid era, will be aiming to change that. The South Africans have a good record in West Indies–in 2004-05 they became the hosts’ first unbeaten opposition through a full tour, and three years before that they also won in the Caribbean–and they have a fine Twenty20 (or, in South African terms, Pro20) record.
The heavy-handed Smith and a likely opening partner in the explosive Loots Bosman, with whom he blasted a staggering 170 in a mere thirteen overs five months ago, are the probable openers, while AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs are capable batsmen of eye-catching flair, as well as livewires in the close field. Jacques Kallis is a solid middle-order anchor, but he hits a long ball as well in addition to useful, bustling seam. JP Duminy, in terrible form of late, may not get a chance, but a batsman of his immense potential and assurance can’t just be written off.
A big-hitting lower-order includes brutal Twenty20 specialist Albie Morkel, dashing Rory Kleinveldt, bullish left-arm spinning all-rounder Roelof van der Merwe, and the nerveless Mark Boucher, probably the best keeper of the tournament. The pace attack includes the stellar Dale Steyn, the gutsy Charl Langeveldt (a former prison warden who took a one-day hat-trick to steal victory from the West Indies here five years ago), the lanky Morne Morkel, and the promising Juan “Rusty” Theron, who impressed in the Indian Premier League. Equally vital are the spin duo of Johan Botha and van der Merwe, whose economy in the middle overs should be a big plus.
On paper it’s arguably the tournament’s most ruthless and efficient side. South Africa will hope, though, that on this occasion the big-match nerves–which have let them down plenty of times–don’t get in the way of their silverware hunt.
Group: C, v India and Afghanistan at Gros Islet, St. Lucia
Watch out for: Roelof van der Merwe’s glowering demeanor and bull-necked hustling with bat and ball look suited to a Navy officer, but it’s on the cricket field that his full-blooded slogging and brisk, restrictive left-arm spin should promise match-turning contributions.
