There’s no argument AB de Villiers is a superstar, but it takes a team to win the World Cup and the rest of his troops aren’t up to scratch – yet.
Today they get the chance to get back on track against the surprise packet in unbeaten Ireland at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
But South Africa will be without two top-notches in all-rounder JP Duminy, and world class paceman Vernon Philander.
So it’s high time for the top four in the batting order to consistently fire – Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Faf du Plessis, and de Villiers – and for Dale Steyn to live up to being ranked the best ODI speedster in the world.
Amla’s ranked world number two behind de Villiers, but he’s not fired in this tournament with 98 runs in three digs for an average of 32.66,
de Kock has made only 26 runs in three, at 8.66, du Plessis 141 at 47, and even de Villiers has teed off just once in three with his 162*, including the fastest ODI 150 in history with 64 deliveries.
Throw in David Miller who has 180 at 90, and the Ireland attack should be in for a shellacking.
And that’s what South Africa must do if they are to be a genuine World Cup contender, not a choker.
George Dockerill, Ireland’s slow left-arm orthodox, is the pick of their attack with four wickets at 22.25, while medium pacer Alex Cusack has two at 27.
But the rest are averaging over 30 or 40 a wicket, and should be easy pickings.
Champion South African speedster Dale Steyn is surprisingly in that latter category with just three wickets from as many games at an average of 47.66.
Someone has to pay for those un-Steyn-like stats, and it might as well be Ireland.
In short, South Africa must get their act into gear before they take on the sudden-death quarters against a world-class side still to be determined.
South Africa has more chiefs than Indians in support staff with an army of coaches, tarting with head coach Russell Domingo.
Former South African coach Gary Kirsten and Australian batting legend Mike Hussey are consultants.
Allan Donald is the bowling coach.
Claude Henderson is the spin bowling coach.
Charl Langeveldt is the death bowling coach.
Paddy Upton the mental condition coach.
Greg King’s the trainer.
And a recent addition is Mike Horn, the world renowned explorer, but his position is as big a secret as his appointment.
Maybe that’s the problem, too many cooks spoiling the broth.
Whatever the reason, today will be the litmus test for South Africa – contender or choker?
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