Shedding baggage worth decades, South Africa made it to the final of a cricket World Cup for the very first time. They defeated Afghanistan in a lopsided semifinal in Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday (local time) to enter the final of T20 World Cup 2024.
It was their first semifinal win at a cricket World Cup. Unbeaten throughout the 2024 World Cup so far, South Africa took on India in the final in Barbados.
But it was not to be as India won by 7 runs.
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South Africa's journey in ICC tournaments has been marked by highs and heartbreaks. TSN delves into their record in World Cup semifinals and their quest for an elusive ICC trophy.
How has South Africa's journey been in ICC events?
South Africa's cricketing history was marred by political turmoil, which kept them out of the ICC Cricket World Cup until 1992. When they finally debuted, they faced England in a dramatic semifinal in Sydney, where the match was affected by weather conditions, and England progressed to the final.
In subsequent ICC events, South Africa faced heartbreaking exits, none more infamous than the 1999 Cricket World Cup semifinal against Australia, where a tied match led to Australia advancing to the final. This match is remembered in cricketing lore as one of the most dramatic moments in World Cup history.
In the Cricket World Cup 2015, held in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa once again reached the semifinals but was knocked out by co-hosts New Zealand in a closely contested match, which ended their campaign with mixed emotions.
Have South Africa ever won an ICC trophy?
South Africa hosted the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007 but failed to advance past the Super 8s stage, disappointing their home crowd.
More: T20 World Cup: Which team has reached the semi-finals most times?
Despite these setbacks, South Africa have won their first and only major one-day title in 1998 by winning the ICC Champions Trophy in Bangladesh. They have neither one an ODI World Cup, nor the T20 World Cup.
What is the South Africa's record in World Cup semifinals?
Let's take a look at how South Africa have performed in World Cup semifinals.
| Tournament | Opposition | Result |
| ICC ODI World Cup 1992 | England | Lost by 19 runs |
| ICC ODI World Cup 1999 | Australia | Match tied |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2007 | Australia | Lost by 7 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2009 | Pakistan | Lost by 7 runs |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2014 | India | Lost by 6 wickets |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2015 | New Zealand | Lost by 4 wickets |
| ICC ODI World Cup 2023 | Australia | Lost by 3 wickets |
| ICC T20 World Cup 2024 | Afghanistan | won by 9 wickets |
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