Coming into the Champions Trophy as the 4th ranked ODI team on the ICC rankings, South Africa face similar questions to those they have been answering for the past 15 years. Sure, we all know they are a great team, but can they get out of their own way in a ICC Tournament? 

Strengths

As strong and cynical as South Africa’s batting lineup can be, it’s their flexibility that can often throw opponents off their game. Players such as AB de Villiers, Colin Ingram, David Miller, and Robin Peterson have ability to bat at any position in the lineup. As an opposition captain, it is difficult to put together a game plan when any one of these players could be sent in at different points based on the situation of the match.

It is not just the batting, however, that can bring South Africa home with a victory. Pick your poison between Ryan McLaren, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Dale Steyn, and Morne Morkel when it comes to facing their fast bowling attack. Sure, you may be able to defend an over or two, but at some point you’ll have to get the run rate going. It will certainly be difficult to do so with any one of these pacemen steaming in. All three of Tsotsobe, Steyn, and Morkel feature in the top 10 in the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers.

Weaknesses

The absence of Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis not only leaves a void in terms of what they bring to the field with runs and catches, but also in experience. For years, these two names were the first to go on the team sheet when putting together the playing XI. Will the youngsters be able to overcome their missing leadership?

While earlier we praised South Africa’s bowling attack, their spinners won’t have anybody up all night in fear. Relying on Peterson to turn his arm over, they could struggle to make any breakthroughs on a slower pitch if it comes to that. 

Players to Watch Out For

Hasim Amla

What more can be said of Hashim Amla that hasn’t been said already? The premier batsman in world cricket at the moment, he tops the ICC rankings for both Tests and ODIs. Boasting an average of 57 in ODIs with a strike rate of 91, he will be coming in to open the innings and play out as many overs as possible. Capable of a double century in any ODI, Amla topped the run charts on South Africa’s last ODI tour of England with 335 runs in 4 innings at an average of 111.66. He finished as South Africa’s second highest run-scorer in the recent ODI series vs. Pakistan with 204 runs from 5 innings.

AB de Villiers

Pick a role; star batsman, captain, wicket-keeper, aggressor. AB de Villiers has the ability to turn a game on its head with his ridiculous improvising while also holds the maturity to rebuild an innings if the team loses early wickets. He finished as the highest run scorer in this year’s ODI series vs. Pakistan with 367 runs from 5 innings at an average of 91.75 and is the 2nd ranked ODI batsman on the ICC rankings.

Dale Steyn

While not the force that he is in Tests, the leader of South Africa’s pace attack is as lethal as can be in today’s age of fast bowlers. Sitting on the century mark with 100 wickets in ODIs, Steyn boasts an average of 29.33, economy rate of 4.91, and strike rate of 35.7.

How far can they go?

How far can they go? Well, it depends on what you make of their ability to overcome the “chokers” tag. There is good news and bad news for South Africa as they look at their history of ICC tournaments. The good news is that out of the Champions Trophy, World Cup, and World Twenty20, the Champions Trophy is the one ICC tournament that South Africa has won. The bad news is that it was in the first edition back in 1998 and that they have failed to win the next 13 ICC tournaments since. If they focus on the good news for confidence and use the bad news as motivation, we could see South Africa being the final holders of the Champions Trophy.

Discuss!