World Cup 2019: 3 reasons why South Africa deserve to be eliminated

Heartbreak, World Cup, South Africa. These three apparently unrelated terms have all become inherently related over the years.

More often than not, the Proteas enter the quadrennial showpiece event as one of the favorites to clinch it. But every time, they find ways to eliminate themselves, often in majorly dramatic ways that have led to them being given the tag of chokers.

Who can forget that gut-wrenching exit in 1999 after a titanic struggle against Australia, a tournament where Lance Klusener almost took them to the trophy single-handedly? Or the 2003 Duckworth Lewis fiasco where miscalculation robbed them of progress to the next round on home soil?

Shock exits like the one in 1996 in the quarterfinal stage to West Indies, or the bizarre rain-rule elimination in 1992, have all added to the chokers narrative over the years. South Africa, the team that has it all except for the mentality to win the really big games - that's how it's been in World Cups.

Add to that the two close knockout defeats to New Zealand in successive World Cups, and you have a complete story.

However, come 2019, there were hardly any expectations surrounding them despite having a fairly capable team placed high in the ICC rankings. Proteas fans must have been hoping that the lack of pressure might finally help the team fulfill their potential at the biggest stage.

They were wrong. Defeats against all the major nations have almost ensured that the South Africans have achieved the ignominy of an extremely early exit.

However, they have only themselves and their personnel (more on that later!) to blame, and they deserve to go home at the earliest. Here's why.

1. Shoddy in the field

One thing that the Proteas have been always brilliant at is their fielding prowess. Modern fielding techniques and attitudes originated with one man, Jonty Rhodes; he is the only player, to date, who could claim selection by dint of his fielding abilities.

South Africa have maintained that glorious tradition till now, albeit with certain famous blips like Herschelle Gibbs dropping Steve Waugh in 1999. However, it all unraveled in 2019, especially in the game that mattered last night against the impressive New Zealand.

Difficult catches, easier catches and certain run outs were all missed by the Proteas, with David Miller being the unlikely villain. We also cannot forget the sitter that Miller dropped to give Rohit Sharma a reprieve in the first match; things could have been starkly different had Sharma perished in the business end of the game that day.

Even captain Faf du Plessis dropped a tough one earlier on, which would have dismissed Sharma on 1.

Clearly, the South Africans just did not turn up with the intensity that is required to win games like these.

2. Shackled mentality

Hashim Amla departs after a laborious 55.

The Proteas just did not have the fluency or confidence with the bat in any of the matches. Normally aggressive batsmen such as Quinton de Kock and David Miller all huffed and puffed in every one of their innings before losing their wickets at the most inopportune moments. Captain Faf du Plessis showed similar signs of ineptitude, and none of the top-order ever got going in any match.

Even on Wednesday the script was quite the same and Hashim Amla's patient but inelegant 55 signified what is wrong with the mentality of the South Africans. Also, after building the platform, the batsmen have departed just when they needed to cut loose; this has led to slow run-rates and below par scores.

Maybe the top-order needs lessons in how to play with freedom from the likes of Rassie van der Dussen or Chris Morris, who have been the saving grace.

Ab de Villiers: conspicuous by his absence

3. AB de Villiers and poor decision-making

Yes, you read that right. One man who never turned up for the tournament played a big role in South Africa's probable elimination.

AB de Villiers, one of the putative modern legends of the game, really let down his country by his indecisive attitude. First, he shocked the world by calling time on his career in 2018 when the team needed him to play this one last World Cup. Then, news emerged that he had wanted to come out of retirement for the tournament but the request was turned down by the selectors.

Some believe it was the right decision as the great batsman had deserted the team at the most crucial time and the Proteas had prepared a certain squad with an eye on the World Cup. However, others feel that you cannot turn down a batsman of his abilities when he has himself expressed his desire to return to the fold.

With South Africa's batting in shambles, the jury will be out on that for a long time. The entire controversy will surely have had a negative impact on the team's mindset during a challenging phase.

That is not the only contentious decision that South Africa have made. While De Villiers is culpable in this mess, others have been of their own making.

Faf du Plessis' handling and rotation of strike bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Imran Tahir was often found wanting. Individually, the fielders made wrong decisions while attempting catches. And batsmen made the wrong shot selection.

Also, who can forget the bizarre lack of application shown by De Kock, who failed to appeal a faint edge off Kane Williamson's bat last night? Williamson went on to complete a match-winning century after that reprieve, rubbing salt into South Africa's wounds.

That moment signified all that's wrong with South Africa right now: indecisive, shoddy, shackled, and most probably out of the tournament.