Three heartbreaking moments for South Africa in Cricket World Cups are:
South Africa vs England 1992 World Cup Semi-Final
Playing their first World Cup since readmission, the South African cricket team captured the imagination of the cricketing fraternity with some mesmerizing performances. South African cricket team players like Jonty Rhodes, Hansie Cronje and Kepler Wessels guided them to the semifinals of the 1992 World Cup.
England batted first and reached 252 in their stipulated 45 overs, powered by Graeme Hicks’ 83. The South African cricket team could only bowl 45 overs in their allotted time, which meant that England couldn’t face the full quota of 50 overs.
Although none of the South African cricket players got to a fifty, valid contributions from all batters guided the South African cricket team towards victory. They were 231 for 6 after 42.5 overs when rain stopped play which eventually sealed the Proteas’ fate.
South Africa needed 23 off 13 when rain stopped play but due to archaic rules at the time, the target was revised to 22 off 1 ball. South African cricket players were distraught and the rain rules had to alter after this game.
South Africa vs Australia 1999 World Cup Semi-Final
If the 1992 World Cup semifinal heartbreak was out of their hands, the semifinal loss in the 1999 World Cup against Australia was completely self-inflicted by the South African cricket team. The game finished with the scores level but the South African cricket team were eliminated as they were below Australia in the group stages.
Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock ripped through the Australian batting line-up to reduce them to 68/4. Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan’s half-centuries rescued Australia as they finished with a very gettable 213.
Shane Warne weaved his magic once again to reduce the South African cricket team to 61/4. At 175-5 in 44.4 overs, South Africa had to score 49 off 32 balls for a victory. South African cricket player Lance Klusener, who destroyed bowling attacks throughout the tournament, once again delivered.
With 9 needed off the final over, Klusener hit two boundaries. With a solitary run needed of three deliveries, Klusener attempted a single but his partner Allan Donald was ball watching and was runout. Coach Bob Wolmer later stated that all the South African national cricket team players were in tears after the game.
South Africa vs New Zealand 2015 World Cup Semi-Final
Heartbreaking moments continued for the South African cricket team in World Cups as they lost against New Zealand in 2015. In the rain-hit semi-final clash between the two sides, South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first. After losing two quick wickets early on, Faf Du Plessis and AB De Villiers scored 82 and 65 respectively which set the tone for their innings.
As South Africa started to accelerate, rain played spoilsport and they finished with 281 from 43 overs. New Zealand was a target of 298 from 43 overs. Brendon McCullum’s blitzkrieg gave the Kiwis a good start but they lost their way a bit in the middle. Grant Elliot guided New Zealand to victory even though wickets fell at the other end.
With 5 needed off 2 balls, he hit a six off Dale Steyn to send New Zealand to their first World Cup final. Several South African cricket players collapsed on the ground in disbelief and it was heartbreaking for their fans to see their heroes in tears.