Are South Africa chokers? Explaining how the Proteas came to be associated with the 'chokers' tag

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Ever since the country's return in international cricket in 1992, South Africa have been one of the world's most formidable teams.

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Just like any other side, they have had their share of ups and downs but on the whole the cricketing landscape in the country, as well as the players it produces has been top-notch. The likes of Allan Donald, Lance Klusener, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn can all lay claim to the tag of 'world-class'.

However, there is one word that has been associated with the national side for as long as anyone can remember; 'chokers'. But what does it mean, and how did it begin?

Are South Africa chokers? Explaining how the Proteas came to be associated with 'choker' tag

Despite all their world class talent on an individual and team level, South Africa have never been able to put it all together to win the biggest trophies. Their solitary triumph to date remains the Champions Trophy, won in 1998.

It is because of several failures to get over the line, especially in the knockout stage of world events, that South Africa have been branded as 'chokers'. Some of these results have been down to bad luck, but several others are a result of their own errors.

South Africa exorcised some ghosts on Thursday as they secured their place in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024. After bowling out Afghanistan for a mere 56, they romped to the target in 8.5 overs to reach the summit clash of an ICC World Cup for the very first time.

Even as South Africa chase their first World Cup crown, here's a list of matches that saw them pick up the 'chokers' tag:

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World Cup 1992: Semifinal exit

Their run of bad luck began in the 1992 World Cup semifinal. In pursuit of 253 in 45 overs, they were on track with 22 required from the last 13 balls. However, a rain delay reduced their target to an impossible 22 off one ball, sending them out of the tournament. This incident cause a lot of furore for the implementation of rain-delay calculations.

World Cup 1999: Semifinal exit

While 1992 was bad luck, 1999 saw one of the most famous ODIs ever. In the semifinal against Australia, the Proteas were on their way to chasing 214 with 1 run required off 4 balls with 1 wicket in their hands. Moreover, an in-form Lance Klusener was on strike. However, a horrible mix-up between Allan Donald and Klusener saw them bowled out with the scores level at 213. Australia would go through as they had won the group stage match between the sides.

World Cup 2003: Group stage exit

In 2003, South Africa fell afoul of rain again, but this time had themselves to blame as well, for misreading the Duckworth-Lewis calculations. When the team management conveyed the D/L par score to the batsmen, Mark Boucher and his partner thought it was the winning score instead of the par score. So, after achieving that score easily, Boucher just blocked the last ball before rain intervened. When rain stopped their match against Sri Lanka, the scores were tied via the D/L method, a result which sent them packing at the group stage.

World Cup 2011: Quarterfinal exit

The 2011 tournament had more heartbreak for the Proteas. In their quarterfinal against New Zealand, they were on course to chase 222, at 121/3 in the 28th over. However, JP Duminy was bowled by Nathan McCullum before new man Faf du Plessis ended up running out the set AB de Villers two balls later. The Kiwis made sure to let him know about that, and South Africa ended up crumbling to 172 all out, and boarding the plane home.

World Cup 2015: Semifinal exit

They played New Zealand in 2015 again, this time in the semifinal. South Africa were well on top after scoring 281/5 in 43 overs of a rain-shortened contest. The Kiwis were struggling at 149/4 before Grant Elliott and Corey Anderson put on 103 for the 5th wicket to rekindle their hope. With 12 to defend off the last over, Dale Steyn brought the equation to 5 off 2, before Elliott smashed him over long on for six to break South African hearts once again.

World Cup 2023: Semifinal exit

In 2023, South Africa made it to the final four yet again, but could not make it through to their first final. After choosing to bat first against Australia, Proteas fans watched in horror as their side slipped to 24/4, scoring at a snail's pace. However, No 6 David Miller scored a magnificent century to put up a fighting total of 212 on a turning track in Kolkata.

In reply, Aussie openers Travis Head and David Warner got off to a flyer, scoring 60 in 6 overs. South Africa fought back yet again, reducing them to 137/5 before Josh Inglis and Steve Smith began inching towards the target.

After Gerald Coetzee got rid of both Smith and Inglis, it seemed the Protea fire still burned bright, but it was eventually put out by eighth-wicket pair Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins, whose unbeaten 20-run stand took Australia into yet another World Cup final.