Strengths

Weaknesses

South Africa’s attack collectively averages 30.54 since CWC 2015, the best by any side (Min. 1000 Overs bowled)

Faf’s Captaincy:

Brilliant record under Faf du Plessis – Have a Win% of 83.3 under his captaincy, the best for any skipper who has captained a side in 30+ ODIs.

Match Winners: De Kock, Miller, Faf and Amla when on song are handful for any opposition.

Amla’s woes

Key Player Hashim Amla’s recent form doesn’t make for good reading: He has crossed the 50-run mark in just 25% of his ODI innings since 2018.

Lack of 2^nd Spinner: In an era where wrist spinners are relied on by majority of teams. South Africa have gone in with just Tahir as their starting spinner. If he struggles South Africa do not even have a decent part timer to bowl spin in their starting 11.

Opportunities

Threats

Exorcise their WC Demons

South Africa return to the country where arguably they earned their nickname of World Cup chokers (1999 WC semi-final vs AUS at Edgbaston). They also have a chance to set their record straight, knocked out in the semi-finals in 4 of their seven participations. Just 2 knockout games this time means, they can have a got shot at the title.

Tahir to end on a high: Tahir is SA’s highest ranked ODI bowler currently (#4) and their most successful spinner ever in ODI’s the World Cup provides him with a chance to end his career on a high.

Lungi Ngidi is coming off a fairly serious injury (side strain). Dale Steyn has had issues with his shoulder & groin, amongst other body parts, of late. Kagiso Rabada was an early withdrawal from the IPL due to a back problem.

Lack of Depth: South Africa bat till no 6 where the mercurial Miller walks out to bat no 7 Phehlukwayo doesn’t inspire much confidence making their tail look long. It is the same case with their bowling where Phehlukwayo has to bowl his 10 overs with SA also not having decent part timers to call upon. If their front bowlers struggle, then SA’s bowling will be exposed.