The enthralling action in the Super Eight stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup leads to the Semi-Finals, with 20 participants trimmed down to four contenders for the silverware. The first of the knockout games will feature Afghanistan and South Africa with the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba to host the scintillating fixture. Ahead of this match we shall go through the team journeys, match prediction, head-to-head, pitch report and top players for the encounter.
Afghanistan Team Journey
The Asian side were touted as one of the few underdogs at the start of the tournament. However, the Rashid Khan-led unit have proved themselves more than mere ‘underdogs’. After three wins from four matches during the Group stages, the Atalans made the Group 1 of Super Eight stage with India, Bangladesh, and Australia. Despite a close-fought loss against West Indies, their thumping win over New Zealand in the group stages helped them gain confidence in facing giants such as Australia.
While India comprehensively defeated their neighbours in the Super Eight game, the Jonathan Trott-coached community were fearless in their approach. They overcame nerves to clinch victories over Australia and Bangladesh in thrillers. Eventually, they gushed into the semi-finals for the first time in a World Cup event. 
South Africa Team Journey
The African Giants initiated the mega-event with a triumph over Sri Lanka in New York. They remained undefeated in Group D of the first phase, escaping scares against Netherlands, Bangladesh and Nepal.
The Proteas continued the same momentum against the United States of America, England and West Indies in the Super Eight stage, therefore topping Group 2. The Men in Green and Gold attained close victories in all their matches, and their latest encounter against the Caribbean was a virtual knockout that Aiden Markram and his men overcame.
Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad Pitch Report
Batting is not easy in this venue. One needs to take time to settle and try to capitalize on the powerplay. Pacers tend to get hints of new ball movement. There is decent assistance during the middle-overs phase as well. The spinners get docile turns, too. Teams chasing have done well except for New Zealand against West Indies during T20I World Cup 2024.
Brian Lara Stadium Pitch Stats
Total Matches: 11
Matches won batting first: 4
Matches won bowling first: 7
Average 1st innings AFGre: 135
Average 2nd innings AFGre: 122
Highest total recorded: 267/3 by ENG vs WI
Lowest total recorded: 40 (18.4) by UGA vs NZ
SA vs AFG Head-to-Head
South Africa and Afghanistan have squared off against one another in two T20Is so far. The Proteas won both the matches in 2010 and 2016.
SA vs AFG Top Players Predictions
Quinton de Kock (SA):
The wicketkeeper-batter has performed relatively well under tricky conditions of the Caribbean islands. De Kock smashed two half-centuries during the Super Eight stages, against USA and England. He can take on the bowlers early during the powerplay.
Rashid Khan (AFG):
The wrist spinner has snarred 14 wickets in the tournament, including a four-for against Bangladesh in their last game. He is back in form after a patchy IPL season. The all-rounder can also chip in with the willow lower down the order.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (AFG):
The top-order batter has been influential in the Afghanistan batting order. He has often laid the foundation with the bat on important matches, scoring big knocks under tricky situations. Gurbaz can also convert his scores into big numbers.
SA vs AFG Hit or Miss Prediction
Kagiso Rabada (SA): One of the most experienced players in the South African squad, Kagiso Rabada’s presence will be key for the Proteas. He looked in good rhythm during the Super Eight and bagged plenty of wickets as well.
SA vs AFG Conditions-based Predictions
- Team chasing has succeeded more often in T20s here.
- The spinners get decent assistance on these tracks.
- The batters need to be watchful in order to switch gears.
SA vs AFG Match Predictions
The pitch in Trinidad is a bowling friendly track and hence South Africa is exptected to score less than 80.5 in ten overs (1.72). However, Afghanistan’s batting is reliable on their openers. If they keep going, then the Atalans might get over 64.5 in ten overs (1.72). Also, total numbers of wickets in the contest should exceed 13.5 (1.96). The Odds…
SA vs AFG Winner Predictions
The conditions favour the Afghanistan style of play but South Africa are a well poised unit. However, they will have to overcome the nerves of playing the knockouts and do the unthinkable. But Afghanistan looks like the favourites.
