They were knocked out in the semi-final of the 2023 edition.
The 2027 Cricket World Cup hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia is nearly a couple of years away but the teams have started building towards it. They have a clearer picture following the Champions Trophy that took place earlier this year.
South Africa had reached the semifinals in the 2023 edition in India but their challenge ended after losing to Australia. They have since been on a pretty good run, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 and lifting their maiden ICC trophy with the World Test Championship triumph. The Proteas will be hoping to add another title in home conditions.
South Africa have had a couple of incredible batting line-ups in the past. The one in the 2015 World Cup and the other in 2023. Heinrich Klaasen, who was at the peak of his powers during that phase, will not be there after retiring from international cricket. But never say never as we recently saw Quinton de Kock coming out of retirement.
De Kock’s return has certainly strengthened the side as Ryan Rickelton has lost his form and Lhuan-dre Pretorius has some time before he is truly ready. Him along with Aiden Markram form an excellent opening pair in the fifty-over format.
Captain Temba Bavuma at number three provides them stability while Matthew Breetzke has been rock solid in the middle order. Breetzke has pretty much cemented his spot in the playing XI with consistent performances in his short career.
Klaasen’s exit opened the door for Dewald Brevis. The young sensation is in the form of his life but is still finding his feet in the fifty-over format. He scored a quickfire fifty in the second ODI versus India recently. At number six, South Africa will have David Miller, assuming he is willing to hang around for the home World Cup. Tristan Stubbs, ideally should be a first-choice option but he hasn’t found his ODI game and will be the spare batter.
Marco Jansen has found his mojo with the bat, showing the world what he is capable of as an all-rounder. In the opening game of the recent series, he hammered 70 off just 39 deliveries. Jansen has the ability to take on both spin and pace, making him a genuine finisher.
Corbin Bosch has also made number eight his own after a string of impressive results. He was excellent in the India series, hitting 67 off 51 and 29 off 15 in the first two games. He would be followed by Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj, giving them a great batting depth.
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For the home conditions in South Africa, the Proteas have a pretty potent bowling attack. There’s not much to say about Rabada, who is one of the best in the business, especially in familiar conditions.
The left-arm pacer Jansen has developed into a massive threat for the opponents with his pace, bounce, and angle. He has the ability to change the game with the new ball, and is pretty decent in other phases. The other left-arm speedster Nandre Burger has also been impressive and should ideally take the no.11 spot ahead of Lungi Ngidi.
Ngidi has his strengths as well. When the pitch is slightly tacky, he is perhaps their best option to exploit those conditions. Corbin Bosch has shown a rapid rise and having someone like him at number eight adds tremendous balance to the side. He has the pace, and the ability to bowl well in death overs.
In the spin department, they have left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj as the primary option. He is among the very best in the fifty-over format. Markram can provide the off-spin option when they need.
All in all, South Africa have a lot of variety in their bowling attack, assuming they all remain fit. With a deep batting line-up and quality bowling attack, South Africa could be one of the top contenders in the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
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