World Cup 2019: 3 most defining moments for each team in this tournament

South Africa

The injuries to Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi weakened the South African bowling line-up

#1 The injuries to Dale Steyn and Lungi Ngidi

Before the World Cup commenced, South Africa was expected to have a formidable fast bowling line-up with the presence of Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada. But Dale Steyn failed to recover from his injury and had to leave the tournament without playing a single match. Lungi Ngidi had to leave midway through his spell against Bangladesh due to a hamstring strain and was out of action for the next 4 games. On return, he was never the same bowler. The absence of Steyn and Ngidi hurt South Africa’s chances.

#2 Faf du Plessis dropping Rohit Sharma

After losing their first two matches against England and Bangladesh, South Africa had to win against India to stay alive. Defending a modest score of 227, Rabada created a huge opportunity to dismiss Rohit Sharma in the second over of the innings but that chance was spilt by the South African captain Faf du Plessis in the second slip. Rohit was on 1 then and after a few lobs over the fielders’ head, some inside edges and after surviving an umpire’s call on LBW, Rohit scored a match-winning hundred to take India home.

#3 Butterfingers against New Zealand

In a must-win game against New Zealand, South Africa spilt too many catches to allow New Zealand to come back into the game. South Africa was in control having claimed 5 wickets with the target still 72 runs away. But David Miller dropped Colin de Grandhomme twice and Rabada and Miller combined to mess up a run-out opportunity off Williamson when he was on 77. In between, South Africa failed to review a caught behind decision off Williamson which should have gone in their favour. That match against New Zealand sealed South Africa’s fate in the tournament.