ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons for South Africa's? premature exit

#3 A subdued opening pair

De Kock looked tense and overawed by the occasion

If there was anything guaranteed in South Africa's ODI batting, it was some sublime back foot punches from Hashim Amla and powerful pull shots from the diminutive Quinton de Kock at the start of an innings. However, de Kock batted like he had been told to preserve his wicket while Amla's shots never found the gap between fielders.

They were slow, lethargic and eventually built pressure on themselves in all three games of the group stages. While the middle-order was good enough to overcome that against a poor Sri Lankan attack, the same wasn't true in their other two games played on used pitches. The lack of intent at the top of the order hurried up the middle-order and eventually paved way for their exit.