As well as South Africa have dealt with pressure in this edition of the T20 World Cup, it will all be for nought if they are unable to overcome Afghanistan in their semi-final on Thursday.
There is also history on the line for both teams. Afghanistan are playing in their first-ever semi-final in a Cricket World Cup, while the Proteas will be desperately seeking to make it to the trophy match for the first time.
To take that final step, the Proteas will have to overcome probably the best spinner in the T20 game in Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan. The 25-year-old has taken 14 wickets at the tournament at an average of 12, with best figures of 4/17.
Khan will also be well-backed up by fellow tweaker Noor Ahmad, who, although is not high among the wicket-takers, has the ability to strangle a batting line-up with his mystery.
"We've played the higher pressure situations well and we're looking to cash in against England." - Proteas batsman Heinrich Klaasen ahead of the Proteas' T20 World Cup Super Eight clash against England on Friday.#T20WC24
— IOL Sport (@IOLsport) June 21, 2024
📽️: ICC pic.twitter.com/ulr0AHjm1M
Dangerous Afghan bowlers
Meanwhile, left-arm quick Fazalhaq Farooqi is the top wicket-taker at the World Cup with 16 scalps so far. Fellow fast bowler Naveen-ul-Haq Murid has 13 wickets at the event ahead of the semi, and it means their pace attack has been just as successful.
It all adds up to Afghanistan boasting the firepower in their bowling attack to seriously trouble the Proteas batsmen.
It’s also no secret that the Proteas have failed to produce a truly dominant performance yet, but that could be both a good or a bad thing. It might be that they’re not yet firing on all cylinders unlike in many previous tournaments, or that they’ve already shown more mental strength to come out on top in those tricky match situations.
Proteas skipper Aiden Markram has already spoken his fighting words, saying after his side’s virtual quarter-final victory over the West Indies that the best is yet to come from his team. He has to say something like that though, and certainly hope it turns out to be true.
In the batting department, Quinton de Kock, Markram, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen will be the key players. However, Reeza Hendricks has to make a strong contribution. With a top score of 43, Hendricks’ next best score is 19 with four other scores in single figures at the T20 World Cup.
His last chance at redemption will be the semi-final.
Tristan Stubbs has also looked good in four of his seven knocks with those scores ranging between 20 and 33.
However, he was the top scorer in the West Indies game and his dismissal was a source of frustration for Proteas fans. With SA cruising at 100/5 in pursuit of 123 to win with four overs remaining, Stubbs went for a big shot off a short delivery before he was caught at long on - to leave his side in heaps of trouble instead of knocking the ball around and guiding his team to victory.
The team selection for the semi-final will also be key. If the pitch in Tarouba looks like it will favour spin, SA must not hesitate to pick both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj. On a slow wicket, South Africa’s perceived advantage with their strong pace attack will be negated, and not picking two spinners will leave the Proteas at a distinct disadvantage.
Ultimately, it will come down to how the Proteas fare in the big moments and they will be judged harshly if they do not come away with a win.