A look at South Africa's painful past at ICC events

South Africa and T20 World Cup 2024 semifinals used to be a sporting tragedy of Shakepearean proportions Not anymoreShedding the unwanted tag of perennial chokers the Proteas marched into their maiden T20 World Cup 2024 final unbeaten in Tarouba Trinidad comfortably beating tournament giantslayers AfghanistanThe triumph wiped off years of heartache and the trauma of being labelled underperformers despite having some of international crickets biggest names in the lineup1992 ODI World Cup semifinal vs AustraliaNot quite a choke but just bad luck Emerging after 22 years of exile following the end of apartheid in the country South Agrica had everything going for them their lightening quick bowlers were excelling their fielders affected sensational runoutsHowever in the semifinal rain came and the equation went from a reasonably gettable 22 off 7 balls gettable to 22 off just one bacll thanks to a miscommunication on their revised target1996 ODI World Cup quarterfinal vs West IndiesHaving won all their group games Hansie Cronje and his men started firm favourites against West Indies in the quarterfinal But Brian Lara played an absolute blinder while spinners Roger Harper and Jimmy Adams spun a web to inflict a 19run defeat on the Proteas1999 ODI World Cup semifinal vs AustraliaPerhaps the most devastating game in South Africas cricketing history The semifinal at Edgbaston that turned tournaments best player Lance Klusener into the World Cups biggest tragic heroChasing a modest 214 South Africa needed nine off the final over with the final pair at the crease Klusener smashed the first two balls for fours to level the scores but Allan Donald was run out and the game was tiedAustralia went through to the final as they had won the previous game between the teams in the super sixes stageAlso ReadAfghans proud in defeat as fairytale World Cup run ends in semis2007 ODI World Cup semifinal vs AustraliaSouth Africas decision to bat first backfired dramatically as a revered lineup including the likes of Graeme Smith Herschelle Gibbs Jacques Kallis AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher was shot out for 149 Australia finished the game off with nearly 20 overs to spare2009 T20 World Cup semifinal vs PakistanThe Proteas had defeated New Zealand England West Indies and India to reach the last four stage high on confidence But a miserly spell by Shahid Afridi stopped them as they failed to chase a reasonably decent 1502011 ODI World Cup quarterfinal vs New ZealandA line up boasting of AB de Villiers Faf du Plessis Graeme Smith Jacques Kallis and JP Duminy failed to chase down a small target of 222 against New Zealand At 108 for 3 in the 25 overs South Africa looked set to cruise to victory but then lost next seven wickets for 64 runs2013 Champions Trophy semifinal vs EnglandSouth Africa were reeling at 880 before David Miller and Rory Kleinveldt inflated the total to 175 But Jonathan Trott smashed an unbeaten 82 and England won by seven wickets with more than 12 overs spareI think we did choke in the game Youve got to accept thats what it is Its definitely a dark mist that hangs over South African cricket in knockout events coach Gary Kirsten had said after the game2014 T20 World Cup semifinal vs IndiaSouth Africas semifinal curse continued as they failed to get over the line in another crunch match This time against a clinical Indian unit2015 ODI World Cup semifinal vs New ZealandThe tide didnt turn for the Proteas A golden generation of South Africa cricketers at their peak had all bases covered But were knocked out by New Zealand again in the semifinals stage giving yet another heartbreak2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 vs the NetherlandsA solitary win away from the semifinals South Africa choked suffering a 13run shock defeat at the hands of a spirited Netherlands side2023 ODI World Cup semifinal vs AustraliaThe Proteas galloped through the league stage even inflicting a massive 134run defeat on Australia But when it came to the crucial last four game South Africa meekly surrendered to the men from Down Under in the semifinals for their fifth semifinal exit in 50over World CupsWith agency inputs