By Shahida Jacobs
All of the Proteas' previous World Cups have ended in heartbreak - the infamous run-out in 1999 and Messrs Duckworth and Lewis in 2003 to mention just two - but those pains will be erased should they win the 2007 edition in the Caribbean.
However, while most bookies and cricket pundits have made South Africa second favourites - behind Australia - to win the tournament, locals are not entirely convinced that they will walk away with the honours come April 28, if IOL's Poll is anything to go by.
Only 51 percent (407 votes) of the 649 people who voted in the poll believe the Proteas will win the World Cup. Thirty percent (231 votes) think their campaign will again end in failure while 19 percent (164) simply don't care.
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Comments from readers who believe the Proteas can win the World Cup.
Iceman: We can braai tomorrow, fix the car tomorrow, fix the washing machine tomorrow. BUT TONIGHT we drink beer, watch the cricket and support our team!!!!!!
Anton: Even if you don't watch cricket, the fact is that your country, the country in which you were born or have perhaps chosen as your home country, is being represented on the international stage. For you not to lend it support, albeit blind support, is what divides this country. Remember the words: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask rather, what can you do for your country..."
Momolo Proudly SA: Yes,Yes,Yeeeeesss!! We will be champions. I think this is the best team that South Africa can produce. Proudly SA and anti Aussies.
Brett: I think we will (and should) win the World Cup. It's about time we had a little luck go our way in this event. Two tied games forcing us to be knocked out, rain changing the equation from 22 of 13 to 22 off 1, remember all that? This time around there will be no freak happenings like that and everything will go smoothly. The only little doubt I have is that the wickets so far all look to have favoured spinners, and we do not have a quality spinner, nor can our batters play spin well.
Andrea: Why not ? Let's be positive and cheer for our team, whoever the players are, it's the best thing going in SA at the moment, something to look forward to and talk about apart from all the crap we live with daily. The Ireland/Zim game was very entertaining, it's about cricket and sportsmanship at the end of the day.
Comments from readers are less optimistic about the Proteas' chances:
Zolani: I would like them to win... but I am still recovering from the disappointments of the past, so my head says no they will not win. I also don't believe that Smith has what it takes to lead the team when they are defending a close score. They will be a lot of those scores up there. I hope I am wrong, but captaincy might just make the difference. The quality of our spinner is a big question as well. I wish them all the best though.
Basil: I really do not think that we can win. These are professional teams that we are up against. We might beat the Netherlands but it is going to be a close match and down to the last ball. I think the West Indies have a good chance of winning at their home ground.
Andrew: I hope they do win but my gut says that at best we'll blow it in the semis - the guys have have all got throat problems - they choke up and get emotional etc.
Bruce: I am so excited that the Aussies are going to win, that someone needs to tie me down like a kangaroo. So, all together now.."Tie me kangaroo down sport, tie me kangaroo down.
Rosemary: If the ground, light, ball, crowd, wind, air, food, suntan lotion, sun glasses, umpire and the list goes on and on and on, are all fire for Smith, then we have a chance of winning.
Len Anderson: I do not think we will win the WC, mainly due to many frailties which are easily exposed when we are under pressure. Do not get me wrong, winning the cup will be good for the country and perhaps we have a good chance. I do suspect that India and England have a good chance, with the Windies, South Africa and Australia making the semis. Unfortunately, I do not think Sri Lanka or New Zealand will manage past the second round.
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