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New Zealand have qualified for the cricket World Cup final with a pulsating win over South Africa on Tuesday at Eden Park.
A massive crowd was on hand to see one of the most intense games of cricket in recent memory that saw Grant Elliott smash a six with one ball remaining to send his side into the MCG final.
Looking at the side that South Africa brought with them, this may have been the Proteas’ best chance of winning their first World Cup. AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn were at the top of their game coming into the tournament, and none of the three are guaranteed to be there in 2019.
AB and Steyn, arguably South Africa’s two best players, are both 31, while Morkel is 30. South Africa’s second and third best batsman in Faf du Plessis and Hashim Alma are 30 and 31 respectively.
Incredibly 2015’s campaign was the equal furthest the South Africans have ever ventured into a World Cup, having fallen at the quarter finals more time than they care to remember.
The losses had earned them the tag of cricket’s chokers.
Make no mistake about it though, last night’s game was no choke from South Africa, they were simply outplayed by the Black Caps.
AB de Villiers came into the tournament on an absolute tear, and continued to belt opposition bowlers around the grounds right up until last night. He made batting look easy throughout the tournament, and ends his campaign as the third-highest run scorer.
Morne Morkel has been the South African bowler of the tourney, coincidently being the third-highest wicket taker.
Looking at the side, it’s hard to see where they fell short. Imran Tahir is a spin bowler with a quality South Africa haven’t had in recent years, so if anything they came into the tournament stronger than ever before.
Australia and New Zealand aside, there isn’t a better pace attack in world cricket than the South African trio of Steyn, Morkel and Vernon Philander. The aforementioned Tahir has been in incredible form, while Kyle Abbott is hardly bad back up.
Meanwhile, Amla, de Kock, du Plessis, Miller, de Villiers, Duminy and Rossouw are hardly a bad bunch with the willow.
Simply put, this was the South Africans’ best chance to win a World Cup in their history as a cricketing nation. Whether or not they can develop players in the next four years to rival the squad they brought with them this time around will determine their future chances.
Will their main stars will be around in four year’s time? And will they be playing at the same level?
South Africa were definitely a top four side in the tournament but were they good enough to make the final? Grant Elliott said no.
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