South Africa and Rain continue to have a bitter relationship with each other. Since 1992, rain has been a torture for them at multi-national events. This time around too, South Africa has had an affair with rain. However, this time, the rain interruption has fortunately occured early for them, and may not affect them too much. Below though are the incidents where rain has affected them at multi-national events.

1992 World Cup

In 1992, South Africa was playing their first World Cup. They were coming back after a ban, and did pretty well in the tournament. Playing some good cricket through the tournament, they went up until the Semi-Finals. Facing England in the Semi-Finals, South Africa found themselves in a situation going either way as they needed 22 off 13 balls. With 22 needed off 13, rain came in, and spoilt South Africa’s chances in the freakiest possible manner. Back before Duckworth Lewis existed, rain stoppages often resulted in reducing the lowest productive overs from the first innings. As a result, a maiden over from England’s innings and an over which yielded one over were taken off. South Africa took the field needing 22 off just one ball, ending their hopes. The loss started a string of defeats in knockout games, and a journey that stayed with the rain.

2003 World Cup

Rain affected South Africa twice in the 2003 World Cup. The first incident though was not too much of an issue. Facing New Zealand, South Africa put 306 on the board. In response, New Zealand were off to a flier, needing 70 odd in thirteen overs with nine wickets in hand. On the next occasion though, South Africa endured a heartbreak. Chasing 268 in a must-win encounter against Sri Lanka, rain started becoming a factor as there was persistant rain throughout the innings.

The Duckworth-Lewis sheets were out, but South Africa made a miscalculation. In a misunderstanding with how many runs were needed, South Africa ended up tying the game. They were one run short of victory, and that resulted in their elimination in the group stages.

2015 World Cup

The 2015 World Cup Semi-Finals was as heartbreaking as it could get for South Africa. They looked so good all tournament, and came into the Semis with a buzz around them. After some early wickets, Faf Du Plessis and AB De Villiers did well to consolidate. With seven wickets in hand, and some incredible finishers to come, South Africa looked set for a huge score. At 216-3 in 38 overs though, rain came in, and ruined their momentum. The rain interruption left them with just five overs left in their innings as the game was reduced to a 43 overs a side match. South Africa lost momentum, and a chance to let their finishers run wild.

They still ended with a decent score, but with New Zealand knowing they had only 43 overs to play, it was advantage to them. A shortened game helped as they managed to chase down the score with four wickets left off the penultimate ball.

2022 T20 World Cup

The 2022 T20 World Cup is the latest entrant. While rain does not affect them too much, considering it occurred in their first game, it still put to close a chance to seal a massive win. Chasing 80 in 9 overs, Quinton De Kock had the team off to a flier. They were 51 in three overs. Had the rain stopped, South Africa would have won on DLS, but couldnt as five overs were needed to be bowled overall.

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An Incident That Got Away

Rain threatened to affect South Africa in the 2013 Champions Trophy as well. Defending 230 in a 31 over game, South Africa only needed to avoid defeat to make the Semi-Finals. In response, West Indies struggled, and were below the DL par score up until the 15th over. With rain becoming a factor as the drizzle remained, the DL par scores were checked after each over. Towards the dying stages of the day, West Indies were ahead of the par score.

The rain picked up, but the umpires kept the players on for one more over, as it started getting better. In the first ball of the 27th over though, with West Indies four over the par score, Kieron Pollard got out. Rain followed his dimissal, and it was very heavy, resulting in the innings being called off, with West Indies equal to the par score. Had Kieron Pollard survived, South Africa would have had another rain incident added to their list of heartbreaks. His dimissal though, changed the script.