The Proteas are set to face New Zealand in the second ICC Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final in Lahore on Wednesday.
Temba Bavuma’s team will be hoping to overturn a tale of woe for the Proteas after no less than four previous ICC Champions semi-finals defeats.
1. 13 October 2000, India v South Africa, Gymkhana Club Ground, Nairobi, Kenya
The Proteas were playing on African soil at the exotic Nairobi Gymkhana Club Ground in Kenya, but that could not stop India steamrolling Shaun Pollock’s team. Sourav Ganguly struck a breathtaking 141 not out with the Indian skipper tearing apart left-arm spinner Nicky Boje, who conceded 26 runs in his two overs. Ganguly received solid support from Rahul Dravid (58) before Yuvraj Singh blitzed 41 off just 35 balls to push India up to 295/6. Without the suspended Herschelle Gibbs at the top of the order, the Proteas’ batting fell apart with only Mark Boucher fighting his way to 60. The Proteas were rolled for 200 in just 41 overs, resulting in 95-run defeat. India, ironically, went on to lose the final to New Zealand’s Black Caps.
2. 25 September 2002, India v South Africa, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Two years later the same teams met at the identical stage in steamy conditions in the Sri Lankan capital. India, once again, batted first, but on this occasion the Proteas bowlers were much better and restricted India to a manageable 261/9. Captain Pollock led the attack with figures of 3/49. With Gibbs back in the saddle, the Proteas were in complete complete control of the run chase at 192/1 after 37 overs. But that’s when lightning struck with Gibbs, playing magnificently well on 116 off 119 balls (16x4), was forced to retire due to both his hands cramping up in the Colombo humidity. Despite requiring just 70 from 13 overs with nine wickets intact, and Jacques Kallis still at the wicket, the Proteas committed harakiri to ultimately lose by 10 runs. Kallis was out in the last over for 97. It was defeats such as these that imprinted the Proteas’ “chokers” label that stained generations of South African cricketers.
3. 2 November 2006, South Africa v West Indies, Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
After missing out on the playoffs altogether two years earlier in England, the Proteas returned to the semis against a strong and highly skilled West Indies team. Gibbs once again led the charge with a stylish 77 to push the Proteas up to 258/8. But that was never going to be sufficient once Chris “The Universe Boss” Gayle got into his work. Gayle - the leading run-scorer in Champions Trophy history - literally blew away the Proteas with a devastating 133 not out off 135 balls to send the Proteas crashing out of the competition.
4. 19 June 2013, South Africa v England, The Oval, London, England
A disastrous start with the bat led to a dismal semi-final outing at The Oval. Playing against the hosts, the Proteas needed a positive after being inserted. Instead, it was England’s seamers that landed the first blows with James Anderson and Steve Finn removing both Proteas openers Colin Ingram and Hashim Amla within the first two overs. Pinch-hitter Robin Peterson, who had enjoyed a good tournament with the bat, tried to counter-punch with 30, but once he departed it set in a middle-order collapse with captain AB de Villiers dismissed for a duck. David Miller tried valiantly with 56 not out off 51 balls, and received support from tailender Rory Kleinveldt (43), but it only helped the Proteas limp to a disappointing 175 all out in just 38.4 overs. The small target was perfect for former South African U19 international Jonathan Trott to chase down with Cape Town-born right-hander easing England home by seven wickets with an undefeated 82.
