South Africa are determined not to let the shadows of past Cricket World Cup knockout defeats haunt them as they face Australia in Thursday's semi-final clash for a coveted spot in the final.
Despite facing setbacks in four previous semi-final appearances, including two losses to Australia, the Proteas are poised for redemption, with Eden Gardens in Kolkata serving as a potential stage for their resurgence.
In 1999, South Africa suffered a heartbreaking loss to Australia after a dramatic tie, and in 2007, they were defeated by seven wickets. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who has claimed 18 wickets in seven matches, emphasises the familiarity of the challenge, providing a sense of calmness to the team.
Having won their last four encounters with Australia, including a convincing 134-run victory in the league stage of this World Cup, South Africa enters the semi-final with confidence. They secured their spot by winning seven of their nine league matches and showcasing their batting prowess, achieving the highest World Cup score of 428 against Sri Lanka.
Australia, with five World Cup titles, comes into the semi-final on the back of seven consecutive wins, including a remarkable rescue mission by Glenn Maxwell against Afghanistan. Despite past disappointments, South African batsman Rassie van der Dussen, with 442 runs in the tournament, remains optimistic about their chances.
While Australia's opener Travis Head looks ahead to the upcoming challenge, South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma's fitness is a concern due to a hamstring injury. However, Bavuma is expected to play, having batted in the nets at Eden Gardens.
Quinton de Kock's impressive 591 runs make him a standout performer for South Africa, but their vulnerability while chasing raises concerns, as both their defeats came batting second. Australia, on the other hand, has excelled in chases, with Mitchell Marsh's unbeaten 177 and Adam Zampa's 22 wickets leading their charge.
The return of Mitchell Starc and Maxwell, along with David Warner's formidable batting form, adds to Australia's strength. However, the spectre of rain looms large, with forecasts predicting downpours on Thursday and the reserve day on Friday, potentially impacting the highly anticipated semi-final showdown.
