Proteas’ Cricket World Cup hopes ended following their three-wickets defeat to Australia on Thursday in Kolkata, India.
This was the fifth time that South Africa failed to reach the final of the 50-over World Cup.
Proteas posted a low total of 212 and on a wicket that suited batting conditions, Temba Bavuma stood little chance against an in-form Australian side looking to play their sixth World Cup final.
Temba Bavuma continued to struggle in this World Cup and was dismissed for a duck after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Proteas once again struggle in the World Cup knockout stages
Before play was interrupted by rain, the Proteas were struggling at 44/4.
ALSO READ: BREAKING: Bavuma selected to play in semis, wins the toss
Australian bowling duo of Josh Hazlehood and Mitchell Starc struck early to leave South Africa stranded on 24/4.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller formed a 95 partnership for the fifth wicket before Klaasen was bowled by Travis Head.
ALSO READ: Cricket World Cup: Proteas set low target for Australia to chase
Another strong partnership between Miller and Gerald Coetzee got the Proteas close to 200 mark before the latter was sent packing for 19.
ALSO READ: CSA release statement on Bavuma’s injury and chances of him playing in semis
Miller reached his seventh ODI hundred but was soon thereafter dismissed just after the Proteas reached 200.
Travis Head and David Warner got off to a flying start and after six overs, the writing was on the wall for South Africa.
ALSO READ: Cricket World Cup: Could rain send Proteas straight into final?
Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram kept the Aussies at bay but the lack of wickets meant the Aussies were always going to chip away and slowly reach 213 for victory.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY ELIOT MAHLASE
Discussion about this post