3 Reasons why South Africa Will and Won't Win the World Cup

The tale of tragedy for South Africa in the World Cup seems to be never-ending, with them finding endless ways to avoid reaching the final. Will the 2019 World Cup see South Africa finally break their International trophy drought or will it be more of the same for long-suffering South African fans?

South Africa sits as one of the teams most likely to win, after India and hosts England. However, as always, in international cricket dismiss South Africa's National Team at your own peril. There is certainly an undeniable level of class in the South African squad such as batsmen Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, and Quinton de Kock.

They also have a quality bowling group, led by the veteran Dale Steyn and backed up by Kagiso Rabada. The South African team also has quality spin bowlers in the likes of Imran Tahir and his protege Tabraiz Shamsi.

Overall, it wouldn't be a surprise to see South Africa once again reach the final four, with anything less than that a major disappointment. However, questions still remain over whether they can break their World Cup hoodoo. South Africa have never made it to the final of the World Cup despite reaching the knockout stages in 6 out of the 7 World Cups they have played in. The Proteas, of course, missed the first 4 World Cup events due to an ICC moratorium on South Africa playing International cricket.

Since their resumption, South Africa has continuously found new ways to be eliminated in the tournament, from the rain delays of 1992 to the last over heartbreak in 2015. Each tournament seems to bring South African fans with a renewed sense of hope in the team, only for their World Cup run to be agonizingly extinguished.

If you want to see 3 reasons why England or India may or may not win the World Cup you can click here and here respectively.

---

#3 Why they Won't - Injury Issues

Kagiso Rabada is one of many South Africans coming to the World Cup with an injury cloud

While there is no doubting the strength of the South African squad, many of their top players are coming into the tournament under injury clouds. Kagiso Rabada has been hampered by a back injury which forced him to miss several games in the IPL season for the Dehli Capitals. Though he and the team have maintained that they expect him to be fully fit for the World Cup.

Similarly, veteran Paceman Dale Steyn has also been struggling with a shoulder injury. Though, like Rabada, the coaching staff remains confident that he will be back for the first game against England.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi missed the entirety of the IPL season for Chennai Super Kings with a side strain, and the teams doctor Mohammad Moosajee wasn't able to confirm whether the third paceman for the Proteas would be fit for their first game of the World Cup against England.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on World Cup time table, news, points table, live scores, most runs, most wickets and fantasy tips.

#3 Why They Will - Top Bowling Attack

Imran Tahir comes into the World Cup after finishing the IPL as the top wicket taker

Heading into this World Cup, South Africa has one of the most, if not the most, potent bowling attacks. Lead from the front with the likes of veteran bowler Dale Steyn, followed by fellow paceman Kagiso Rabada, and a fully fit Lungi Ngidi is an unmatched pace trio if all three can maintain their fitness. They will be backed up by the likes of Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Tahir and Rabada come into the World Cup after finishing as the top 2 wicket takers in the IPL with 26 and 25 wickets respectively. This bodes incredibly well for the South African bowling attack heading into the World Cup, as their bowlers may be able to set them apart from a batting dominated World Cup.

With all the top teams capable of producing 300-350+ scores, could South Africa's elite bowling core prove the difference?

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on World Cup 2019 teams, schedule, news, points table, live scores, most runs, most wickets and fantasy tips.

#2 Why They Won't - Form Issues

Hashim Amla's form is a big concern for South Africa heading into the World Cup

South Africa have seemingly been always been strong heading into major tournaments, it is why their fans seem to be despondent when the team doesn't even make the final. From the 1999 World Cup in England, where South Africa's extremely talented squad fell to Australia in the semi-finals. The likes of Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers, Shaun Pollock, Herschelle Gibbs, Lance Klusner, and Jacques Kallis have all come through the World Cup with South Africa and failed to reach the pinnacle.

The Proteas still has a fantastic player in the form of Hashim Amla. However, Amla heads into the tournament in arguably his worst career form. Amla is currently playing with the Cape Cobras in the CSA T20 Blast and has only managed one score above 20 in the last 8 games. Amla has scored 1 century in the last 2 years of ODI cricket for South Africa.

The bearded genius is undoubtedly the lynch-pin for the team and if South Africa are to break their World Cup duck, Amla will need to find his best form again.

Follow Sportskeeda for all the updates on World Cup live score, schedule, news, points table, most runs, most wickets and fantasy tips.

#2 Why They Will - Strong Squad

Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada will lead South Africa's potent pace attack in England

Hashim Amla has a reputable name in World Cricket, built upon years of solid contributions to the South African national team across all formats of the game. The South African batting line-up which also includes Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock who have similarly proven themselves over the years at the highest level. They will be undoubtedly supported by the likes of Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.

Similarly, South Africa's bowlers will be lead by the experienced Dale Steyn and Kagiso Rabada. Regardless of how far the South Africans progresses in the tournament, watch out for Kagiso Rabada or Dale Steyn to be amongst the top wicket-takers in the competition by the end. They will also be supported by spinners Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi as spin is likely to play a vital role in the tournament's later stages.

#1 Why They Won't - South Africa's World Cup Curse

Australia celebrates as they tie the 1999 semi-final, resulting in them going through to the final

A curse is the only way to describe how the South Africans have failed to win the World Cup let alone make it to the final. Due to an international boycott campaign against Apartheid in South Africa, and the ICC ban meant that the team missed the first 4 World Cups, finally participating in 1992 after the ban was lifted in 1991.

At their first World Cup, South Africa would face England in the semi-finals and a rain delay in the match changed the game. Instead of requiring 22 off 13 balls, South Africa returned to the field needing 22 off 1 ball. In 1996, South Africa finished undefeated at the top of their group but was eliminated by the West Indies in the quarter-finals. In 1999, South Africa was eliminated after a calamitous game against Australia in the Semi-Finals.

In 2003, while co-hosting the tournament, the Proteas failed to make it out of the group stage for the first and only time. The 2007 World Cup saw South Africa lose to Australia once again in the semi-final stage. South Africa would then be knocked out of consecutive World Cups by New Zealand in the 2011 quarter-finals and the 2015 semi-finals.

#1 Why They Will - The Curse Has to End

Faf du Plessis, South Africa's captain, is one of the star players hoping to end the Curse

The curse has to end eventually, and of all previous World Cups, this South African team is the least expected to win. The South Africans have mainly flown under the radar in the approach to this World Cup as most of the expectations have fallen on the shoulders of the top favourites in India and the hosts, England.

As a result, many do not expect much from this South African team, especially considering the fact that some of their players are struggling with injury, or with form concerns. The South African team will also be heading into the tournament without the services of AB de Villiers who retired from International cricket in May 2018.

However, if South Africa is able to turn their form around, they remain one of the most powerful nations in International Cricket and it is unwise to dismiss the Proteas out of hand.