1999 World Cup semi-final vs Australia
Chasing 214, South Africa were rescued from the brink by a rampaging Lance Klusener. With nine required off the final over and just one wicket in hand, he hammered two boundaries off the first two balls. The scores were level. One run would have taken them to their first World Cup final, but panic set in. Klusener took off for a single, Donald didn’t. Chaos ensued. The stumps were broken, the match was tied, and Australia progressed on net run rate.
Photo: South Africa's Shaun Pollock is congratulated by teammates after getting the wicket of Australia's Mark Waugh in the first over during 1999 Cricket World Cup semi final
2003 World Cup group stage vs Sri Lanka
On home soil in a rain-hit match in Durban, South Africa misread the DLS target. Mark Boucher believed he had done enough with a six off Muralitharan, but they were still one run short. He blocked the next ball, thinking the job was done. It wasn’t. The match ended in a tie, and South Africa were eliminated, not by rain, but by a fatal miscommunication.
Photo: South Africa's batsman Mark Boucher s a six run shot as Sri Lanka's keeper Kumar Sangakara watches it flying as rain is pouring down in 2003 during the ICC Cricket World Cup match between South Africa and Sri Lanka
2011 World Cup quarter-final vs New Zealand
Chasing just 222, the Proteas were cruising at 108/2. Then the collapse began. The pressure mounted, and the middle order crumbled. From a commanding position, they were bowled out for 172. Another knockout, another heartbreak
Photo: South African bowler Dale Steyn (C) looks on as New Zealand batsmen Kane Williamson (L) and Luke Woodcock (R) run between the wickets during the quarter-final match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 between South Africa and New Zealand
2015 World Cup semi-final vs New Zealand
In a rain-affected semi-final, South Africa posted a strong 281 in 43 overs. They had the upper hand late in the chase, with New Zealand needing 30 from 18 balls. But dropped catches and poor fielding flipped the match. Grant Elliott’s stunning six off Steyn sealed it, leaving the Proteas devastated,again
Photo: South Africa's Faf du Plessis (L) reacts with teammates Farhaan Behardien (C) and David Miller after their loss in the Cricket World Cup semi-final match between New Zealand and South Africa
2022 T20 World Cup group match vs Netherlands
A semi-final spot seemed certain. All they needed was a win against the Netherlands. But from 90/4 in the 13th over, a dramatic collapse followed. The Dutch held their nerve, South Africa crumbled.
Photo: South Africa's Aiden Markram Plays a shot during the ICC men's Twenty20 World Cup 2022 cricket match between Netherlands and South Africa
2024 T20 World Cup final vs India
Chasing 177, Heinrich Klaasen's 52 off 27 brought them to the brink. With 30 needed off 28, the trophy seemed destined. But after his dismissal, the innings unraveled. With 16 needed off the final over, Miller’s big shot found Suryakumar Yadav’s safe hands. India triumphed by 7 runs.
Photo: India's Jasprit Bumrah (C) celebrates after South Africa's Marco Jansen (L) is clean bowled during the T20 World Cup 2024 final cricket match between India and South Africa
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