5 worst defeats for South Africa in ODIs

As far as great cricket teams are concerned, South Africa are right up there among the very best over the last quarter of a century or so. They missed out on the early years of ODI cricket due to reasons everyone knows but once they were readmitted they proved to be a hugely competitive side and made it to the semi-final in their first World Cup appearance back in 1992.

Since then, South Africa have been one of the most formidable sides in ODI cricket (in Tests too) and have flattened opponents all over the world with their brand of cricket.

Despite their dominance, South Africa have still not won the World Cup yet and in addition to that, like any other team, they have also suffered their fair share of embarrassing defeats.

Since they have historically been an excellent team, it is always interesting to have a look at some of the forgettable defeats they have suffered over the years and here is a look at 5 of them.

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#5 87 run loss to New Zealand in ICC Champions Trophy at Mumbai, 2006

Although South Africa did go on to play the semi-finals in the ICC Champions Trophy in India back in 2006, they suffered an embarrassing defeat against New Zealand earlier on in the tournament. On a difficult pitch at the Brabourne Stadium, New Zealand with the bat after they had been put into bat and South African’s fast bowlers led by Shaun Pollock overwhelmed their batsmen. However, an excellent 89 from Stephen Fleming helped New Zealand recover but they were still dismissed for 195 in the 46th overs.

It was a target that South Africa were expected to overhaul with ease but New Zealand’s Kyle Mills had other ideas and his accurate seam bowling destroyed the Proteas’ top order. Mills took the wickets of Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, and Kallis to leave South Africa reeling at 25 for 3 and there was not much the others could do. Jacob Oram and Daniel Vettori were equally hard to get away and South Africa’s innings folded in comical fashion for only 108 in the 35th overs.

#4 48 run loss to Zimbabwe in World Cup league game at Chelmsford, 1999

South Africa were the best team in the 1999 World Cup and while their fellow continental rivals Zimbabwe surprised everyone with their performance, no one expected them to beat the Proteas. South Africa had won all their games till then and once they had restricted Zimbabwe to 233 for 6 in 50 overs, there was not much doubt about the eventual winner of the game.

Zimbabwean all-rounder Neil Johnson, who had top-scored with 76 in the 1st innings, bounced out Gary Kirsten off the 1st ball of the South African innings and from then on it was a downward spiral for them. They were soon reduced to 40 for 6 by Johnson and Heath Streak and only half-centuries from Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener saved them from the embarrassment of being bowled out for less than 100. They made 185 but the match was lost in the first 12 overs of the South African innings.

#3 8 wicket loss to India in LG Cup at Nairobi, 1999

South African have not always covered themselves in glory when faced with high-quality spin bowling but no one quite expected them to be so clueless against India’s Sunil Joshi on a straightforward pitch in Nairobi. Having chosen to bat first, they started steadily and reached 32-0 in the 10th over, when the Indian left-arm spinner was introduced. Joshi bowled superbly and gave nothing away to the South Africans as they seemed completely spellbound.

He ended up with barely believable figures of 5 wickets for 6 runs in 10 overs and sent down 10 maiden overs. It remains one of the most infamous batting displays from South African and they were eventually put out of their misery at the end of the 48th overs for only 117. The target was knocked off by India without any alarms in 22.4 overs for the loss of 2 wickets and South Africa were handed one of the most infamous defeats in their ODI history.

#2 10 wicket loss to England at Trent Bridge, 2008

South Africa generally used to have the better of England in the last decade but in the ODI series in 2008, the home side did brilliantly and handed Graeme Smith’s excellent side one of the most chastening defeats ever. Smith decided to bat first but England’s fast bowling attack led by Stuart Broad blew South Africa away at Trent Bridge.

Broad’s pace and bounce were too hot to handle for the star South African batsmen and Flintoff and Harmison provided brilliant support as they slumped from 25 for 1 to 83 all out in 23 overs. Despite having the likes of Makhaya Ntini and Dale Steyn in their attack, a target of 85 was never going to be defended and England chased it down in only 14.1 overs for no loss. It remains one of the worst batting displays by South Africa and one of their most embarrassing defeats.

#1 7 wicket loss to Australia in World Cup semi-final at Gros Islet, 2007

After their traumatic ouster against Australia in the 1999 World Cup semi-final, South Africa got the chance to have their revenge eight years later in the semi-final of the 2007 World Cup against the same opponents. However, they fluffed their lines badly and ended up condemning themselves to the most embarrassing defeat in their ODI history. The South African captain chose to bat first but the Australian fast bowling trio led by Glenn McGrath and Shaun Tait put them to the sword.

By the 10th over, South Africa had been reduced to a pathetic 27 for 5 as they delivered one of the most shocking batting performances in their World Cup history. A defiant unbeaten 49 from all-rounder Justin Kemp saw them limp to 149 all out in 43.5 overs. Australia overhauled the target with ease and reached the final. South Africa, who were trying to bury the ghosts of the 1999 semis were now left to lick their wounds from a bruising and embarrassing defeat.