3 Reasons why South Africa are the dark horses for the World Cup

It is not often that one can say with a lot of conviction that a team like South Africa doesn’t start the World Cup as favorites. History has been a witness to the fact that South Africa has always geared up for the tournament as one of the strongest teams. The story, however, seems a bit different this time around. With this World Cup campaign starting on 30th May, with not many giving them a chance.

Currently, there is a lot of uncertainty in their camp regarding the form and fitness of players that will take the field in the World Cup opener against hosts England. The Proteas have a history of failing to capitalize on the key moments and handle the pressure.

Going into this edition, they are often labeled as dark horses and this can certainly help them to win the World Cup with opposition teams unsure of what lies in front of them. Here are the three reasons why South Africa enters the World Cup with that tag.

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#3 Combination of experience and youth

South Africa - the dark horses for the World Cup

Out of the 15 players selected to represent the Proteas, seven players have played in previous World Cups whereas eight will be playing the tournament for the first time. The selectors have therefore chosen to pick a squad that has the perfect blend of experience and youth in all the departments. This provides an adequate balance to the squad; which if full of match-winners

Seasoned campaigners like Hashim Amla, Quinton De Kock, Dale Steyn, JP Duminy, David Miller, and Imran Tahir have truckloads of experience and other players will hugely benefit playing alongside them. South Africa has an experienced captain in Faf Du Plessis, who has shown with his astute captaincy skills not to underestimate the Proteas.

However, there have been some concerns over the form of the seasoned players and it will be interesting to see whether they can put their best performance on the field. One can never write them off as, in crunch situations, it is with their experience that they can bail the team out of difficult situations. The team will be banking on these players to deliver the goods on the field and hope that South Africa goes all the way to lift the trophy.

#2 Potent bowling lineup

The devastating pace bowling lineup

South Africa has one of the best pace bowling attacks in the tournament with the likes of Dale Steyn, Kagiso Rabada & Lungi Ngidi in their ranks.

They have a variety of pace bowling options available and every bowler brings their own unique value to the table. The leader of this bowling pack will be the experienced Dale Steyn, who despite injury concerns has made a successful international comeback after a long hiatus of almost two years and is firing on all cylinders.

Making his final appearance at the World Cup, Steyn will be aiming to finish off in style for the one last time in his international career by winning the trophy. The 35-year-old has shown no signs of rustiness and is back to his devastating best. Opposition camps will be wary of the damage that the Speed Gun can do with the ball, if not for any new injury is in the offing.

Kagiso Rabada, the fifth-ranked bowler in the ICC ODI bowling attack, has been spearheading the South African camp in the absence of Dale Steyn. With his death bowling skills and fast zipping yorkers, Rabada is a threat to many teams. He was recently the second highest wicket-taker in the recently concluded Indian Premier League and will continue to make life tough for opposition teams.

South Africa also has two wrist spinning options with the likes of Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi. Imran Tahir, at 40, is one of the fittest cricketers around and in red-hot form having won the purple cap holder in the IPL.

#1 Strong batting unit on paper

Inconsistent batting performances

One of the major concerns for South Africa in the recent past has been the disappointing batting performances of the team. On paper, they have everything that a good batting line-up requires. It is, however, that all of them have failed to fire in as a team that has hurt their chances of winning crucial games. The form of their most experienced batsman, Hashim Amla remains a huge concern.

The middle order has looked brittle with South Africa in the past choosing to try new combinations in the matches leading before the World Cup. The lack of a settled middle order has only added more to their problems. However, the likes of experienced players like JP Duminy & David Miller back in action after injury will calm a few nerves for the team management.

Team has the power hitters at the back end of the innings like Andile Phehlukwayo who can hit the ball out of the park and provide the cushion of getting those crucial runs at the back-end of the innings.

The dangerous wicket keeper opening batsman Quinton De Kock has been in stupendous form throughout the last season and these are good signs for the team. Faf Du Plessis will be expected to control the innings during the game and play according to the situation of the game.

The sudden retirement of AB De Villiers caused a huge hole to fill in the South African batting line up. He was the pillar of the batting unit and his absence is a huge loss to say the least.

The team has a potent batting line up with the young guns like Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen looking in great nick.

The South African team has got everything right on paper to beat any team in the World Cup. However, it is the uncertainty regarding the form of the players that makes people doubt their chances. Only time will tell whether they can carry the burden on their shoulders.