Written by Angie Khumalo
The Proteas open their Super 12 Group 2 campaign against Zimbabwe in the Cricket World Cup, in Hobart.
And with the recent run of form, can the Proteas win the SADC derby? South Africa has never lost a T20I to Zimbabwe and has only been defeated by them in two ODIs.
One of those was at the 1999 ODI World Cup, where the result had a direct bearing on South Africa’s opponents in the semi-final, and we all know what happened there.
South Africa’s most excruciating semi-final exit came when a final-over run-out meant they tied with Australia and were eliminated on a head-to-head record.
So, Zimbabwe has some claim to being noisy neighbours, determined to cause an upset, even if their last decade has been quiet.
But going into the World Cup, not as tournament favourites may be exactly what is needed by the Proteas to eliminate pressure and allow them to fly and play under the radar.
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