From chokers to Champions: South Africa’s journey from heartbreaks to glory

South Africa finally put years of heartbreak, disappointment, and close calls behind them by clinching the World Test Championship title with a five-wicket win over Australia at Lord’s. This historic triumph marks their first major ICC trophy in 27 years, the last being the ICC KnockOut Cup in 1998.

The victory comes less than a year after the crushing defeat to India in the T20 World Cup 2024 final. As the Rainbow Nation rejoices, it’s the perfect moment to look back at all those occasions when the Proteas came agonizingly close before finally breaking the curse.

01. 1992 World Cup, Semi Final vs England

South Africa’s unfortunate run of falling short in crucial moments began in Sydney. Chasing victory, they needed 22 runs from 7 balls with Brian McMillan and David Richardson at the crease. However, rain interrupted the match, and due to a miscommunication over the revised target, the equation suddenly changed to 22 runs off just one ball effectively ending their hopes.

02. 1999 World Cup, Semi Final vs Australia

It remains one of the darkest days in South African cricket history. Needing just 9 runs in the final over from Australian pacer Damien Fleming, Lance Klusener smashed the first two deliveries, reducing the equation to just 1 run from 4 balls. However, two dot balls followed, and a desperate attempt for a single led to the run-out of the last man, Allan Donald. The match ended in a tie, and Australia advanced to the final against Pakistan based on their earlier Super Six win over South Africa.

03. 2003 World Cup

Co-hosts South Africa needed a win against Sri Lanka in Durban to progress to the Super 6 stage. They were 229 for six when rain halted play exactly the par score according to the Duckworth-Lewis method. However, just before umpire S. Venkataraghavan called the players off the field, Mark Boucher, unaware of the situation, defensively played the final ball of the 45th over from Muttiah Muralitharan. With the scores level at that moment and no further play possible, the match ended in a tie resulting in South Africa’s elimination from their home World Cup.

04. 2015 World Cup, Semi Final vs New Zealand

South Africa had posted a solid 281 in a rain-shortened 43-over semi-final against New Zealand, leaving the Kiwis needing 30 runs from the final three overs. It seemed like South Africa was finally on track for a breakthrough until Grant Elliott crushed those hopes by smashing a last-ball six off Dale Steyn, delivering a heartbreaking blow.

Fast forward to the 2022 T20 World Cup Super 12 stage, South Africa needed just one win to secure a semi-final spot. Facing an inexperienced Netherlands side in Adelaide, the Proteas appeared to have an easy task chasing 159. However, they faltered under pressure yet again, managing only 145 as the Dutch sealed a shocking 13-run victory, ending South Africa’s campaign.

05. 2024 T20I World Cup Final vs India

In the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India in Bridgetown, South Africa looked in control at 151 for four in 16.1 overs, chasing a target of 177. With Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller well set, they needed just 26 runs from 29 balls with six wickets in hand. However, Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen, triggering a dramatic collapse. The Proteas fell short yet again, finishing at 169 for eight and losing the match by just 7 runs.