South Africa hope for fifth time lucky in Australia showdown at Eden

South Africa insist they will not be burdened by scarring from their chequered record in World Cup knockout clashes when they face old rivals Australia on Thursday for a spot in the final The Proteas have made four semifinal appearances in the showpiece in 1992 1999 2007 and 2015 but have fallen to defeat every time twice losing to Australia In 1999 they lost to Australia after a dramatic tie at Edgbaston which saw their rivals go through due to a better group stage finish Eight years later South Africa went down by seven wickets after being bundled out for just 149 at St Lucia Kolkatas Eden Gardens however could be the stage for redemption for South Africa who made the semifinals by winning seven of their nine league matches They have also been racking up impressive totals including the highest score in World Cup history of 428 against Sri Lanka The Proteas have won their last four meetings with Australia including a 134run thrashing in the league stage in Lucknow four weeks ago There isnt a lot of mystery about whats lying ahead said fast bowler Gerald Coetzee who has claimed 18 wickets in seven matchesAlso ReadChokers can become champions tooFivetime champions Australia are coming off seven straight wins at the tournament That run included Glenn Maxwells oneman rescue mission when his unbeaten 201 led Australia to victory from the brink of defeat at 917 against Afghanistan Rassie van der Dussen who made 76 in South Africas concluding group win over Afghanistan to take his tournament total to 442 runs also shrugged off past disappointments I was 10 years old in 1999 said Van der Dussen In that year they had a really good chance to win the World Cup I think we have a good chance as well Legspinner Tabraiz Shamsi insisted the past doesnt matter one bit Were a different group of players Before we got to the World Cup nobody said that wed be in the semifinal and here we are he told South Africas Independent media Thats what propels this team instead of feeling pressure we see it as an opportunity to do something special No South African mens team has been in the World Cup final and that for us is very exciting because it is an opportunity to do something that no other team has doneAustralia opener Travis Head was four when the drama of Edgbaston was played out in 1999 so prefers to focus on the challenge ahead The boys have been invested for a long time so if were going to spend that much time here we might as well try and go the whole way said Head Im sure everyone has thought about that making the final It hasnt really been spoken about as a group but we know whats at the end of this tournament and whats up for grabs The fitness of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma remains a concern after he picked up a hamstring injury against Afghanistan But Bavuma who missed two group games through illness is expected to play after he batted in the nets at Eden Gardens South African batting has stood out at the World CupAlso ReadA date with destiny at WankhedeOpener Quinton de Kocks 591 runs is second only to the 594 of Virat Kohli The 30yearold De Kock who will quit oneday internationals at the end of the tournament has four centuries to his name One of those came against Australia in the group stage But chasing remains an issue for the Proteas as their two defeats against India and the Netherlands both came batting second Australia have mastered chases After Maxwells epic knock against Afghanistan Mitchell Marsh smashed an unbeaten 177 as Australia overhauled the 306 of Bangladesh with 32 balls and eight wickets to spare Legspinner Adam Zampas 22 wickets has put him on top of the bowling charts Opening batsman David Warner is one run short of 500 including two centuries and a highest of 163 in the win over Pakistan Leftarm quick Mitchell Starc and Maxwell both missed the game with Afghanistan but are expected to return for what will be Australias eighth semifinal in 13 editions However rain could play spoilsport with downpours forecast for Thursday as well as Fridays reserve day With agency inputs