For South Africa, 27th June will be a day to remember as they make their way to their maiden final in an ICC World Cup. Aiden Markram’s men hammered Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan by nine wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, advancing to the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

South Africa bowled Afghanistan out for 56 runs in 11.5 overs and chased down the target with more than 10 overs left in their innings. They entered the final match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as the only unbeaten team with already eight wins to their name. This convincing win over Afghanistan in the semi-final also brought an end to South Africa’s 32-year-long wait, breaking their semifinal jinx and setting the stage for a historic final.

South Africa in ICC WC Semi-Finals
Mats: 8
Won: 1 (today)
Lost: 6
Tied: 1 (vs AUS, 1999)

Aiden Markram’s captaincy

Aiden Markram’s journey as captain has been remarkable. Stepping in for an injured Temba Bavuma, Markram has led the team with poise and determination. His leadership style, characterized by calmness, and strategic acumen, has been pivotal in South Africa’s success in the tournament so far.

See Also: “It is an opportunity we have never had,” Aiden Markram after beating Afghanistan in 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024

Markram has led his team to the World Cup final unbeaten throughout the tournament. South Africa have won all their eight matches so far, from the group stages to the Super Eight and then their win against Afghanistan during the semi-finals. They also beat the semi-finalists, England, during the Super Eight stage.

This is an impressive record as a captain of a team that has struggled to get past the knockout stage at the international level. He will be leading the South African team in the World Cup final on June 29, 2024.

The unwavering leadership

In March 2023, he was appointed as the captain of the South Africa cricket team in T20Is, ahead of their home series against the West Indies.

The dream many of his predecessors chased, only to fall short when it mattered most, is now within reach for the South African men’s team. Captain Aiden Markram has excelled in his decision-making, even though he has maintained a low profile.

Strategic mastery against the West Indies

Markram’s strategic brilliance was on full display in the must-win clash against the West Indies. He boldly used 12 overs of spin, including bowling himself. Markram did just that, securing a crucial win to advance to the semifinals at the expense of the co-hosts.

An unbeaten skipper

Markram is the only skipper in the world currently to win all the matches he has led across the U19 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup.

In 2014, he led South Africa to their only U19 World Cup win, a year when the senior Proteas reached the T20 World Cup semifinal. Markram guided the team to six unbeaten wins to claim the U19 title. He has also led the Proteas to victory in two ODI World Cup games.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the Proteas have won eight matches in a row, equaling the record for most consecutive wins in the tournament’s history, alongside Australia.

Markram has now gone 10 matches unbeaten as captain in senior global events, joining Sune Luus as South African skippers to reach World Cup finals, with the latter doing so at the Women’s T20 World Cup last year on home soil.

Breaking the semifinal jinx

South Africa’s journey to the final is historic considering their past semifinal woes. Since their World Cup debut in 1992, the Proteas have been tagged as “chokers” due to their inability to progress beyond the semifinals despite having strong teams.

Every South African skipper, Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Temba Bavuma, tried to break the jinx of the semi-final but didn’t succeed. Aiden Markram broke this jinx in the first try of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Aiden Markram’s leadership has been a revelation. From leading the U19 team to World Cup glory in 2014 to his unbeaten streak in senior global events, Markram has consistently proven his mettle as a leader. His success in domestic leagues and international tournaments underscores his tactical brilliance and ability to inspire his team.

Trophies Won as captain by Aiden Markram

1. ICC U19 World Cup 2014 for South Africa
2. SA20 2023 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape
3. SA20 2024 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Matches Won by Aiden Markram in ICC tournaments:

South Africa boasts a respectable 56.67% winning percentage in T20 cricket. As the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the Proteas are keen to maintain and improve this record. Known for their immense talent and potential, South Africa has struggled to shake off the ‘Chokers’ tag, often falling short in crucial moments. With a mix of experienced veterans and rising stars, the Aiden Markram-led squad is preparing to challenge for the trophy starting June 2.

Current Team Overview

Under the leadership of Aiden Markram, the current South African squad is a balanced blend of seasoned players and promising young talent. This dynamic mix aims to finally overcome past disappointments and achieve glory in the 2024 T20 World Cup.

See Also: CSK CEO highly optimistic about Dhoni playing IPL 2025

South Africa has had a roller-coaster journey in T20 cricket. Despite fielding powerful teams over the years, they have failed to clinch major titles in the 21st century, earning the unfortunate label of ‘Chokers.’ Notably, the Proteas have never reached the final of the premier 20-over tournament, often bowing out in the group stages or semifinals.

SWOT analysis of the South Africa squad ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup

Strengths

South Africa’s batting lineup is their key strength. The team is well-equipped to start strong, with experienced campaigners like Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks at the top. The middle order, anchored by captain Aiden Markram and the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen, ensures stability and resilience. Lower down, David Miller, known as ‘Killer Miller,’ and young talent Tristan Stubbs provide explosive firepower to finish innings on a high. Ryan Rickelton, who shone in the recent SA20 tournament, adds further depth to the batting lineup.

All-rounders like Marco Jansen and Wayne Parnell bring a versatile edge to the team. Their ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes them invaluable assets, capable of turning the game around in critical moments.

The team has undergone rigorous training camps and participated in practice matches to fine-tune their skills. Strategic focus areas include improving consistency, enhancing fielding standards, and developing effective game plans for match situations.

Weaknesses

The pace bowling department, traditionally a strength, is currently a concern. Kagiso Rabada, a key bowler, will be heavily relied upon. However, his recent form, along with that of Anrich Nortje, must be more consistent. Nortje’s poor performance in the IPL, where he was even dropped from the Delhi Capitals squad, raises questions. Marco Jansen, though promising, has had limited opportunities to showcase his skills in the IPL.

South Africa’s Achilles’ heel has been its inability to maintain consistent performance under pressure. This inconsistency has cost them dearly in past tournaments, and addressing this issue is crucial for its success.

Opportunities

The ‘Chokers’ tag has hung over South Africa for too long. The upcoming T20 World Cup presents an excellent opportunity to erase this label. With no significant pressure and nothing to lose, the team can play with more freedom and confidence.

Young players like Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton bring fresh energy and potential to the squad. Their recent performances suggest they could make significant contributions and help South Africa achieve long-awaited success.

Compared to other top teams, South Africa’s blend of experience and youth positions them as formidable opponents. However, their historical inconsistency remains a concern. How they adapt to the pressure of big matches will be crucial.

Threats

Including three left-arm spinners – Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi – indicates a strategic shift towards spin. While this could be advantageous, it also risks weakening the attack pace. A strong pace backup could be detrimental if the spinners fail to deliver.

Fitness issues and injuries to key players could severely impact South Africa’s campaign. Ensuring that the squad remains fit and injury-free will be critical to their success.

South Africa Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Aiden Markram (c), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs

Travelling reserves: Nandre Burger and Lungi Ngidi