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

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.