Following a comprehensive and statement win against long-time foes Australia midweek, the Proteas will be in a jovial mood to pick up from where they left off and orchestrate their third successive win in the ICC Cricket World Cup when they play Netherlands on Tuesday.
South Africa dismantled the five-time champions, handsomely crushing the Aussies by a mammoth 134 runs at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Even though the victory was a team effort, the likes of star batsmen Quinton de Kock (109 off 106) and Aiden Markram (56 off 44) were lethal with the bat, while the bowling unit of Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi was magnificent and relentless in picking up the crucial early wickets.
Despite Temba Bavuma having a slow start and some erratic moments to his World Cup campaign, the skipper has shown his high-level leadership qualities, especially with his calculated bowling rotation during the match against Australia.
It goes without saying that Rob Walter and his troops have had a dream start to the World Cup, as they have been picking up the pieces after months of unconvincing cricket.
The Proteas will now be looking forward to the important clash against the Netherlands, and Rabada says it’s still early to get carried away as there are more games to be played in their mission to qualify for the semifinals and go as far as winning the tournament. “We are still a long way away [from winning the tournament] but there are plenty of positives to take.
“We’re looking to play our best cricket whenever we play a game. We are not worried about what statements we’re making, but only about the plans we want to execute,” Rabada said.
The last meeting between the two was an ODI whitewash by the Proteas, when they dismantled Netherlands in both matches to clinch the series with ease.
This time will, however, be a different cricket game all together as the Proteas will be going up against a wounded Netherlands side that lost their opening games against Pakistan and New Zealand.
