South Africa crash out of T20 World Cup after stunning Netherlands upset

South Africa added another heart-breaking chapter to their misery in ICC competitions as Temba Bavuma’s side suffered an embarrassing upset at the hands of the Netherlands to crash out of the 2022 T20 World Cup at the Super 12 stage. The Proteas were unable to shake off that infamous choker’s tag as they succumbed to a heart-breaking 13-run defeat against the Netherlands at the Adelaide Oval, their first against the Dutch in any format at the international level.

South Africa’s soul-crushing defeat meant that Temba Bavuma’s side finish in third place in Group 2 with five points, while Pakistan qualify for the semi-finals instead following their victory over Bangladesh. The Proteas entered this tournament as one of the favourites to go all the way but were way off the pace in this must-win game against the Netherlands, failing to chase down their 159-run target despite the considerable batting resources at their disposal.

In the first innings, barring Anrich Nortje, the South African pacers came under heavy attack from the Netherlands batting line-up. Stephan Myburgh set the tone early on as he went after Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada in the powerplay, taking the Netherlands to 48 for no loss at the end of six overs. Nortje and Maharaj pulled things back for South Africa through the middle, while Markram picked up the wicket of Mybrugh, but Tom Cooper kept the Dutch momentum going as he went after the spinners.

The number three reverse-swept Maharaj for six and added a crucial 35 in just 19 deliveries to set up the Netherlands for a big finish, which came thanks to a superb cameo from Colin Ackermann. The all-rounder smashed two sixes in the final over from Wayne Parnell and finished with 41 from 26 deliveries, helping his team score an invaluable 31 runs in the last 12 deliveries.

Chasing 159, South Africa felt the pressure early on. Quinton de Kock edged behind against Fred Klaassen in the second over before Temba Bavuma was bowled around his legs for a run-a-ball 20, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 39 for two at the end of the powerplay. The tension in the Protea dugout began to build as Rilee Rossouw and Aiden Markram departed after hitting a pair of boundaries, but the major turning point of the chase came with the wicket of David Miller.

With 47 needed off 29 deliveries, Roelof van der Merwe took a stunning catch while running backwards from short-fine leg to remove the left-hander for 17. Wayne Parnell and Heinrich Klaasen departed soon after and the Netherlands quickly wrapped up one of their famous wins to hand South Africa another disappointing World Cup exit.