Accusations of “choking” from fans added to the pressure which caused the Proteas to lose their composure in their shock World Cup quarter-final defeat by New Zealand, coach Corrie van Zyl said as a dejected team arrived back home on Sunday.
Meanwhile, former South Africa star Peter Kirsten hit out at the Proteas for their lack of nerve.
South Africa, despite invariably showing superb form in the early rounds, have never won the World Cup. This time was no different as they lost their fifth successive knockout game on Friday.
“I am deeply sorry for the disappointment to everyone who supported us. Pressure is obviously a major thing in the World Cup and in the knockout rounds, especially because you know it’s your last opportunity,” Van Zyl told a news conference at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport.
“It’s important to keep your composure and we weren’t able to do that. Maybe it was the burden of previous generations that caused us to lose composure.
“The opposition see every opportunity to use the word ‘chokers’ on and off the field for one reason: to get at us mentally.
“But when our own fans keep reminding us of the past, it doesn’t provide motivation, it just brings extra pressure. We need to deal with this in a different way as a nation; we need to stick together.”
South Africa were 108/2 chasing what should have been a manageable 222, but crumbled and were bowled out for 172 in Dhaka on Friday.
“The pressure all starts building up; the players always get reminded of the past,” said Van Zyl. “Most of this squad were not part of the previous World Cup defeats, but the people make them a part of it.”
The Dhaka defeat was especially bitter for Van Zyl, who was an assistant coach at the 1999 World Cup, when South Africa were eliminated by Australia, and at the 2003 event they hosted.
“It’s hard to describe the disappointment the players went through. I’ve been part of three changeroom moods like that now. It will hurt for a long time,” Van Zyl said.
The coach dismissed suggestions that the make-up of the squad was wrong.
“I don’t think we needed anyone else apart from the 15 players we had there,” he said. “For those conditions it was the right 15, without question, and it was proven right through the World Cup. We played some seriously good cricket, barring 10 overs on Friday night,” he said. “In hindsight, I would have prepared the same way and had the same personnel.”
Van Zyl believed the squad still had it in them to win a World Cup and that players like Imran Tahir and Robin Peterson had been a revelation. “There’s a new team culture, they’re definitely taking a new direction and there’s no question they will be number one in the future, and they will still win the World Cup if we all work together,” he said.
“There’s a lot of talent in the team; it’s important to keep it together, and all that experience and the lessons they have learnt should stand them in good stead.”
“It’s the same old story,” Kirsten said. “They couldn’t handle the mental side of the game. Lack of composure from the inexperienced players and they just didn’t have the nerve to play.
“Graeme Smith and (Jacques) Kallis didn’t bring much to the table and people expected a lot from them.”
Kirsten said the exclusion of experienced players like Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel was a mistake.
“For players like Morne van Wyk and Faf du Plessis to be included over proven soldiers like Boucher and Morkel is completely ridiculous,” Kirsten said.
Former convener of SA selectors Omar Henry said he knew the team would be tested in the knockout stages, but he had not expected them to lose to New Zealand.
“The bowlers did well to restrict them to that score, but the batsmen didn’t come to the party,” Henry said.
“That game was there for the taking. Unfortunately over the years we have created the history of choking. Playing in the World Cup is all about being ruthless and focused when going about the business, and that is something they didn’t show.”
The Proteas would have to return to the drawing board and engage in some “self-introspection” following their quarter-final loss, said Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula.
He called the defeat a “sad misfortune that has descended upon us” and said “gaps” needed to be identified to address matters warranting attention. He thanked the team for its “gallant fight”. - Cape Times