Batters/Fielders: Faf Du Plessis ©, Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (WK), Aiden Markram, David Miller, Rassie van der Dussen
Bowlers: Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phelukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir
All Rounders: JP Duminy
Don’t Sleep On
– David Miller: He’s known for big run breakouts and may just be called upon to have an explosive innings to steal a match.
–Lungi Ngidi: Steyn and Rabada is the likely partnership to open up innings, with Ngidi, South Africa brings a third powerful pacer to the table. Not many other nations can say that. Ngidi catching fire and racking up wickets would only mean success for the Proteas.
–Rassie van der Dussen: His full name is Hendrick Erasmus van der Dussen. He’s in this spot on name alone! As far as actual cricket goes, van der Dussen is expected to be a reliable option behind Amla, de Kock and du Plessis. An average of 88.25, in a rather small sample size of 9 matches, shows what van der Dussen is capable of!
Needed to Make a Run
-Imran Tahir: The swan song for one of the most exciting bowlers in recent cricket history. Be on the lookout for the classic Tahir sprint, we’ll likely know how South Africa is performing based on how Tahir’s celebrations go. They need him to rack up the wickets this tournament.
-Faf du Plessis: His leadership is vital. He’s spoken in recent interviews about the pressure on this South African team to do what all others before them couldn’t and reach a World Cup final. Can he keep cool under pressure? A semi-final/final trip may hang in the balance.
Key to the Cup
–Kagiso Rabada: He’s one of the best bowlers in the world, so there’s not much introduction needed here. In order for South Africa to make a run, Rabada needs to have a tournament similar to Trent Boult’s 2015 World Cup. My bet is Rabada leads the tournament in wickets after the group stage matches are settled.
Why Should I Watch?
South Africa is your best friend who, when you are all out, is one step away from closing with his/her prospective mate, only to have it slip away in the most heartbreaking way possible. You never want to give up on that friend, they’re your best friend, but you’re constantly afraid of watching them get their heart broken again. South Africa boasts an experienced batting and bowling side, one that is capable of beating any team on any given day. They are 100% good enough to win this tournament but don’t get too attached because it will likely end in heartbreak.
How Fun is This Team? (9/10)
Tahir and his celebrations alone are enough to get them a high score in this category. Rabada has some attitude to him when he gets going, which is great to watch. Steyn isn’t afraid to talk his shit. Really their bowling attack is feisty and not afraid of anything or anyone.
Best Case:
World Cup glory! This version of the Proteas does what no other team before them could do and win the World Cup. Amla and de Kock lead from the front and put up huge numbers match after match allowing for the bowlers’ plenty of leeway to do their thing. They beat New Zealand in a rematch of the 2015 semi-final and take down host nation England in the final.
Worst Case:
I think you know where I’m going here. Although I can’t foresee a match ending in a more heartbreaking fashion than 2015’s semi-final. Unfortunately, this is the worst case section, so let’s come up with one! I’d say losing that exact way again in the semi-finals would be the worst possible outcome, yea? Okay, that’s it, another World Cup without making it to the finals after being so close.
The American Slogger 