In a nail-biting clash at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, South Africa secured their place in the T20 World Cup semi-finals with a tense three-wicket victory over co-hosts West Indies, using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
This crucial Super 8s match, essentially a quarter-final to determine the second team from Group 2 to advance, saw South Africa overcoming significant hurdles to maintain their unbeaten streak in the tournament.
Chasing a revised target of 123 in 17 overs due to a lengthy rain delay, South Africa displayed nerves of steel to withstand West Indies’ spirited resistance. Despite early setbacks, Marco Jansen sealed the victory with a six, finishing the chase with five balls to spare.
This victory ensured South Africa’s top position in Group 2, setting them up to face the runners-up from Group 1 in the semi-finals.
The Proteas’ pursuit of 135 initially set by West Indies seemed under control until Andre Russell’s double strike in the second over left them reeling at 15-2.
However, a sudden downpour halted West Indies’ momentum and kept the players off the field for 75 minutes. Upon resumption, South Africa had a revised target and quickly regained their footing with a flurry of boundaries.
The West Indies, buoyed by a passionate home crowd, fought back valiantly with Roston Chase, who had earlier top-scored with 52 runs, taking three crucial wickets.
As the game neared a nervy conclusion with South Africa needing nine runs from seven balls, Kagiso Rabada’s exquisite cover drive for four eased the tension, and Jansen’s six at the start of the final over clinched the win.
Earlier in the match, South Africa’s spinners played a pivotal role in restricting the West Indies to 135-8. Captain Aiden Markram set the tone by dismissing the dangerous Nicholas Pooran, leaving West Indies struggling at 5-2. Markram, not a full-time spinner, bowled his four overs in succession, conceding just 28 runs.
Tabraiz Shamsi then took charge in the middle overs, dismantling a crucial 81-run partnership between Chase and Kyle Mayers. Shamsi’s excellent figures of 3-28 included the dismissals of both key batsmen and Sherfane Rutherford.
Keshav Maharaj also contributed significantly, taking the wicket of West Indies skipper Rovman Powell with a beautifully delivered ball that dipped late and turned past the bat for a stumping.
The spinners’ dominance meant that fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was not introduced until the 18th over, underscoring the effectiveness of South Africa’s spin attack.
This disciplined bowling effort ensured that West Indies’ powerful batting line-up was contained, setting up a manageable chase for the Proteas.
Reflecting on the win, South Africa captain Aiden Markram expressed a mix of relief and recognition of areas needing improvement. “A lot of relief to get through to the semi-final,” he said.
“But I’m not going to be brainwashed by that, we’d have liked to be a lot more convincing in getting the job done. It’s been the story of our competition to get ourselves into tricky situations then by hook or by crook, get over the line.”
West Indies captain Rovman Powell praised his team’s fighting spirit despite the loss. “Credit to the boys, they fought to the very end. As a batting group, best to forget, the middle overs especially. When you look on a large scale, we haven’t reached the semis.
But the cricket we’ve played in the last 12 months is commendable. To move from number nine to number three in the world, there’s a lot of buzz in West Indies cricket. When we hear the anthem play we hear something, we’re heading in the right direction.”
With South Africa’s place in the semi-finals secured, the focus now shifts to their upcoming match against the Group 1 runners-up. The Proteas’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure have been key to their unbeaten run in this World Cup.
As they prepare for their first T20 World Cup semi-final in a decade, the team’s blend of experienced players and impactful youngsters will be crucial.
The final semi-final line-up will be determined once India’s position in Group 1 is confirmed. Rohit Sharma’s side will play their semi-final match in Guyana, while the other semi-final will be held in Trinidad.
For South Africa, the journey continues with hopes of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy, driven by their tenacity and team spirit.
Photo: Proteas Men ,X
