South Africa failed to close the margin of gap against India by seven runs, yet again succumbing under pressure in the T20 World Cup – an ICC knockout game. Out of their 24 occurrences in ICC tournaments, the Men in Green and Gold have entered the semi-finals eight times. However, they collapsed brutally from a winning position in most cases.
The Aiden Markram-led community had a tremendous outing in the 2024 T20 World Cup, making it to the finals undefeated. They had a fair chance of leaving the tourney similarly unless thirty minutes of apprehension that ultimately led to a terrible collapse.
Looking back at the Proteas campaign, it’s time to rate their individual performance in the mega-event. 
Reeza Hendricks: 2/10
The top-order batter has been poor with the bat during the recently concluded World Cup. He was backed fairly by the management but the right-handed batter failed to step up at the big stage. He scored just 113 runs in nine innings at an average of 14.12 and a strike rate of 87.59.
Where did Reeza lose points?
- Despite being an opener, his average surged below 15.
- He went through a tough lean patch in the competition.
Quinton de Kock: 7/10
The southpaw initiated the tourney on a rocky note before finding form with the bat in the first couple of Super Eight matches. He scored half-centuries against the United States of America and England. De Kock looked in good shape against India in the final as well. However, he failed to convert his 39 into a match-winning score.
Where did de Kock lose points?
- He wasn’t at his peak like he was during the ODI World Cup 2023.
Aiden Markram: 4.5/10
The all-rounder had a poor outing with the bat in the World Cup, similar to the IPL 2024 season. However, the skipper has led the team fantabulously in the competition. This was the first time that Markram lost a competitive final in his cricket career.
Where did Markram lose points?
- A batting average of 15.37 just injustice to his batting calibre.
- He failed to lead from the front in the grand finale.
Tristan Stubbs: 7/10
Having scored 163 runs in eight innings at an average of 33, Tristan Stubbs showed glimpses of his capability in the World Cup. A young gun, on the back of an impressive SA20 and IPL, showed maturity with the bat in the final. He helped the side stabilise a tricky situation during the second innings.
Where did Tristan Stubbs lose points?
- Quite a few times Stubbs threw away his wicket at a crucial juncture of the match despite being half-set.
Heinrich Klaasen: 8.5/10
The beast of T20 cricket has been one of the positives for South Africa in this World Cup. He played important knocks of 46 and 32* against Bangladesh and USA in tricky conditions, helping the side go past the finishing line. Moreover, his 52 against India in Barbados almost snatched away the game from India’s court.
Where did Klaasen lose points?
- He was not consistent with the bat.
- Klaasen failed to finish the game despite being set against India in the grand finale.
David Miller: 8.5/10
The left-handed batter is one of the best finishers in modern day white ball cricket. However, Miller failed to produce a match-winning knock when it mattered the most i.e. in the finals. But its worth noting that the 35-year-old saw them through against Netherlands and Bangladesh in the world cup. He also scored 43 against England in Gros Islet.
Where did Miller lose points?
- Failed to maintain consistency
- Failed to win the final for his side
Marco Jansen: 6.5/10
The left-arm pacer bowled a few vicious spells with the new ball. He seemed unplayable against Sri Lanka but failed to do what was needed in the final. But it’s noteworthy that the tall, lanky pacer was clinical with the ball against Afghanistan in the semi-final.
Where did Jansen lose points?
- Jansen had the worst economy in the final – 12.75.
- Jansen did not pick adequate wickets with the old ball.
Keshav Maharaj: 9/10
The bowling all-rounder had a brilliant World Cup season. He bagged eleven wickets in nine matches, including a three-fer against Bangladesh on a pace-friendly New York pitch. He was terrific in the final as well, removing Rohit Sharma and Rishab Pant early in the first over itself.
Where did Maharaj lose points?
- Failed with the bat when required.
Kagiso Rabada: 9/10
The premium fast bowler was scintillating in the T20 World Cup, scalping 13 wickets from nine matches. To bounce back after a short-term injury, Rabada showed his class as a fast bowler and adapted to the conditions nicely.
Where did Rabada lose points?
- Failing to produce a match-defining performance in the grand final.
- Wicketless against Nepal and Netherlands.
Anrich Nortje: 9.5/10
The speedster was outstanding after a poor IPL 2024 outing with the Delhi Capitals. Nortje was the leading wicket-taker for South Africa in the tournament with a four-for against Sri Lanka. He has been stunning with the old ball and defending a tricky total in the last over against England in the Super Eight was one of the hallmarks of his class.
Where did he lose points?
- He did not pick many wickets in the Super Eight stages.
Ottneil Baartman: 6/10
One of the domestic talents of South Africa and a bowler who excelled in the SA20 for the two-time champions, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, Baartman has had a mixed season. While he picked a four-for in the tournament, the pacer leaked 21 runs against Liam Livingstone in the Super Eight clash by bowling numerous juicy full-tosses.
Where did Baartman lose points?
- He failed to gain control of his line and length in the Super Eight stage.
- The right-arm pacer almost lost South Africa the game against England.
Tabraiz Shamsi: 9/10
The left-arm spinner did not make the first XI initially before igniting the tournament with a four-for in their last group stage games. Shamsi has been brilliant with his variations and often bemused the oppositions. One of the prime examples is Afghanistan’s collapse for 56 in the semi-final where Shamsi claimed a three-fer.
Where did Shamsi lose points?
The wrist spinner was not at his best in the grandest of all stages i.e. the final. He failed to get the job done during the middle overs phase, thereby allowing India to recover from scrutiny.
