Why do the Proteas fail in big tournaments

Apart from I think one ICC trophy the Proteas seem to choke in every single tournament they play in. Why is it that some of the best cricketers in the world cannot handle the pressure of a world cup?

It called a Chokers curse !

I checked the medical dictionary but they are recommending the :

Heimlech Maneuver    :-[

They have performed well in the World Cup group stage over the years, but do have trouble in the knockout stages. I would say this is in part due to underperforming in big matches and also coming up against better teams. I believe they have only entered one tournament as the number 1 ranked ODI side (in 2007).

In 1992, they were eliminated in the semi-finals in farcical fashion due the Duckworth-Lewis method.

In 1996, they won their group but lost to West Indies in the quarter-finals.

In 1999, they won their group but were eliminated in the semi-finals after drawing against Australia in the most unlikeliest of fashion. This game will forever be remembered for the Alan Donald run out. Australia went on to win the tournament. This was definitely a choke.

In 2003, they failed to make it to the Super Sixes in large part due to the Duckworth-Lewis method. They lost against New Zealand with New Zealand still needing 78 from 13 overs and then drew against Sri Lanka with South Africa needing just 40 from 5 overs. Due to the interruption of rain, Mark Boucher thought South Africa were ahead on Duckworth-Lewis and blocked out the final delivery. A lack of communication cost them the win and advancing.

In 2007, South Africa entered as the number 1 ranked ODI side but lost to Australia - the number 2 ranked side - in the semi-finals. That was the match where Tait and McGrath just ripped through South Africa's top order in part due to an extremely poor game plan. South Africa's batsman came out swinging for the fences against a swinging and seaming new ball.

In 2011, South Africa won their group, but surprisingly lost to New Zealand in the quarter-finals. They were in a very strong position at 120/3 after 27 overs, needing 102 more runs from the final 23 overs with 7 wickets in hand. Jacob Oram turned that match on its head.

In 2015, South Africa finished second in their group, beat Sri Lanka in the knockout stages but lost to hosts New Zealand in an all time epic of a semi-final, with the Kiwis winning with a ball to spare.

Since South Africa's first World Cup appearance back in 1992, they have won 35 of the 55 matches played. Their winning percentage (65.45) is second best over this period, behind only Australia (75.30). They are great at reaching the knockout stages - and there is something to be said for that consistency - but indeed struggle once there.

Thank you for this wonderfull analysis friend. Do you think the issue is with the players and their mentality or with the coaches over the years? My biggest issue is that it has seemed to become normal to not win the big tournaments.

How does losing become normal??

I believe mental toughness plays a role, as does self belief and confidence. There are those that will argue winning breeds winning, while others believe that talent breeds winning. More often than not, the team with the best overall talent will win. It's why the West Indies dominated the World Cups throughout the 70s and Australia since 1999.

In saying that, there is value (albeit unquantifiable) in the experience of having been there, done it and knowing what it takes to win.

Sport is made up of two components: physical and mental. The South African teams have been very strong in terms of their playing abilities but have shown mental weakness and at times sheer panic.

What hasn't done them any favours over the years is the huge amount of pressure weighing on their shoulders due to their past performances in the knockout stages. Prior to the last World Cup, they had yet to win a knockout match. Knowing that and having that rammed down your throat in the pre-match build up adds pressure and doubt, and erodes confidence. Some players try too hard, others panic, some over-think, some forget to think. Pressure effects each player differently. What separates a great player from an elite player? The ability to handle and perforum under pressure.

Malcolm Gladwell wrote the most eloquent of articles regarding the art of falure:

gladwell.com/the-art-of-failure/

For whatever reason, in their infinite wisdom, the ICC has decided not to make the historical ODI rankings publicly available. Fortunately, I was able to gain access to them, and can confirm that South Africa entered a World Cup as the number one ranked team on three separate occasions - 1996, 1999 and 2007 (when they were tied with Australia). Impressively, South Africa held the number one ODI ranking spot from May 1996 to February 2000.

I have faith in you 007

M

Perhaps foolishly, I picked South Africa to reach the finals of both the last two World Cups (T20 and ODI). Both times, they looked impressive in the build up and thought they would finally get over the hump. Unfortunately, they lost in heartbreaking fashion to New Zealand in Auckland, and then crashed out of the T20 World Cup in the group stages. If nothing else, they can say that they have been involved in five of the most memorable World Cup matches, sadly for them and their fans, all times on the losing end.

I think they would win the final of any World Cup if they actually could make it to the final, but my question remains, why are they not able to get over the hump, get to that first final and win that first World Cup?

AND that was at HOME : I still have the Vuvuzela and other memorablia. :-[