Coach Shukri Conrad says the Proteas have embraced the favourites tag as they go unbeaten into Wednesday’s T20 World Cup semi-final in opposition to New Zealand.
Runners-up within the 2024 version, South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 5 wickets of their final Tremendous Eights match New Delhi to the one unbeaten workforce within the match.
Usually known as “chokers” for failing within the knockouts of prime world competitions, the Proteas have performed commanding cricket on this version save one shut match in opposition to Afghanistan.
Their opponents New Zealand sneaked into the semi-final with a greater internet run-rate than Pakistan and stay underdogs within the first semi-final in Kolkata on Wednesday.
“There’s all the time strain and and it’s actually about embracing that strain,” Conrad advised reporters.
“And we don’t do issues any otherwise, we’re going to organize precisely the identical method for New Zealand whether or not we begin as favourites most likely as a result of we’re the one unbeaten aspect within the competitors.
“I all the time felt that as a South African workforce you need to have the ability to play as a favorite and since it’s simple being an underdog you realize the expectation isn’t nice.”
REPORT: Proteas beat Zim to arrange Black Caps semi
Aiden Markram’s aspect registered two assertion wins over defending champions India and the West Indies of their first two Tremendous Eights matches.
The Proteas misplaced the T20 World Cup remaining to India in Barbados two years again, however Conrad mentioned the expertise was invaluable.
“I believe our expertise within the final T20 World Cup will stand us in good stead,” mentioned Conrad.
“And I’ve mentioned this many a time beforehand, if you happen to proceed to make semi-finals and finals ultimately you’re going to win one.
“However if you happen to don’t make it, you may’t win something.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Zimbabwe vs Proteas (T20 World Cup)
South Africa beat Australia within the World Check Championship remaining in June 2025 to win their first main ICC trophy however they’re nonetheless attempting to find a primary World Cup title within the white-ball format.
Markram has led the workforce from the entrance along with his 268 runs together with three half-centuries at a punishing strike-rate of 175.16.
POLL: Who will contest T20 World Cup remaining?
Conrad praised Markram’s management of a well-oiled unit.
“Aiden has been incredible each with bat in hand in addition to a captain,” he mentioned. “However he’s solely pretty much as good as his troops and he’d be the primary one to confess that.
“So it’s simple to captain a bowling unit that’s on prime of their recreation and batters which are firing however Aiden’s been on the forefront of every little thing that we do.”
Who will contest the T20 World Cup remaining? pic.twitter.com/dfuPYlxFAX
— SA Cricket journal (@SACricketmag) March 1, 2026
– AFP
Photograph: Prakash Singh/Getty Pictures
