Cricket World Cup: South Africa's history of choking

South Africa's Allan Donald, right, is run out against Australia in the semifinal of the 1999 World Cup. Photo / Getty Images

South Africa have a history of choking at the World Cup.

Just today their coach, Russell Domingo, acknowledged it was something the team has discussed ahead of their quarterfinal against Sri Lanka tomorrow.

Here's a look back on some of the Proteas' World Cup chokes.

1996 - QUARTER-FINAL LOSS TO THE WINDIES

It wasn't so much a choke as a poor selection decision but conventional wisdom says if Allan Donald is available, you play him. The selectors instead went with twin spinners Paul Adams (2-45 from 8) and Pat Symcox (2-64 from 10) who were hammered around the ground by Brian Lara. South Africa didn't lose a pool match prior to this battle, while the Windies were beaten in the semi-final by Australia.

1999 - SUPER SIX LOSS TO AUSTRALIA

Whether it was "you've just dropped the World Cup" or "you realise you just cost South Africa the match", Steve Waugh's words hit the mark on Herschelle Gibbs' dropped catch. When the gun South Africa fieldsman went for his trademark flick up upon catching the ball, the Protea turfed it. Waugh, on 56 at the time, ended up making an unbeaten 120 and steered Australia to a famous victory as they made the required 272 with two balls remaining.

1999 - SEMI-FINAL AGAINST AUSTRALIA

Allan Donald was a great bowler, but he was an uninspiring bat - this was his darkest hour.

Lance Klusener was on strike to start the final over, to be bowled by Damien Fleming, with South Africa needing nine runs with one wicket in hand.

Klusener hit two fours off the first two balls which prompted Aussie skipper Steve Waugh to bring his field in - the next ball was a dot and Donald, backing up too far was nearly run out by Darren Lehmann.

The next ball Klusener hit it to Mark Waugh and embarked on a panic run. With Donald ball-watching, Waugh threw it to Fleming, who rolled it to Adam Gilchrist at the other end as the Aussies ran out Donald, who forlornly ran without a bat and without hope.

The match was tied, with Australia advancing to the final having finished higher on the Super Six table.

2003 - GROUP STAGE LOSS TO SRI LANKA

Effectively a knockout game with the winner through to the Super Sixes - Mark Boucher had South Africa home with a six early in the final over, or so he thought - but captain Shaun Pollock had mucked up the maths. South Africa needed 229 to tie, not win and as Boucher stood still after pushing the final ball away to a squarish mid-wicket, rather than taking a single, their World Cup dreams once again ended.

2007 - SEMI-FINAL LOSS TO AUSTRALIA

This was a complete and utter humiliation.

Having lost to Australia in the group stage the Proteas lined up against them in the semis and never looked in the contest.

Shaun Tait (4-39) and Glenn McGrath (3-18) were the chief destroyers bowling South Africa out for 149. Australia chased the runs in the 32nd over.

2011 - QUARTER-FINAL LOSS TO NEW ZEALAND

Once again the Proteas dominated the group stage, winning five of their six matches, a loss to England their only blemish - then came the finals.

New Zealand had scraped in with losses to Australia and Sri Lanka to finish fourth in their group.

The Black Caps made a meagre 221 from their 50 overs and were saved by an 83 from Jesse Ryder as Morne Morkel (3-46) and Dale Steyn (2-42) wreaked havoc.

Simple chase right? Wrong.

At 3-108 the Proteas were cruising, but not long after they were 7-132 and when AB de Villiers was run out by Martin Guptill the choke was on. They failed to recover and were bundled out yet again.

- AAP

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