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Proteas coach Corrie van Zyl
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
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Duncan, wrote
Mureed, wrote
The Proteas are CHOKERS, face reality. The first step to recovery is admitting this. Dear Corrie: The Proteas managed to score 400 runs against Australia in final ODI game of a 5 match series to win the series 3-2, Scored 400 runs in Australia to win the Test Match, and more recently scored 300 runs in the World Cup match against India and we all praised our cricketers for their achievements. Now you blame me for your teams inability score 222 against NZ of all teams. If this is the case, I hereby resign as a Supporter of the National Cricket team – Just too many heartbreaks and disappointing world cup performances. Dear CSA, do the honourable; all resign, the CEO, President, Selectors & all players who played in more than one World Cup (especially Jacques Kallis & Graeme Smith)
Clemy, wrote
Worst part is they trying to justify the loss, you out and finished... I call for smith's head! a captain should take charge and lead, as Hansie did! He has no back bone.. We only have a handful of professional domestic teams.. create more teams, We have the talent, Look at TROTT and PIETERSEN... and many more.. Squad selection sucks and every player has to be selected upon FORM! Smith wasis out of form, so why was he selected?
allan, wrote
if i remember correctly,i think we as south africans created this "choking mentality".we as a highly competitive sporting nation are very ruthless and demanding on our sporting heroes.our sports journalists and news media were the first to use the term "chokers"as we are so uncompromising,the rest of the world jumped on the bandwagon.also, what you speak with your mouth,will come to pass.bottom line is,that we as a nation become witchhunters.where other countries protect their sport heroes we are quick to crucify them.(a case in point:just compare how we handled our cricketers in the match-fixing scandal as opposed to how australia handled their players.we hound our players to death other countries slap theirs on their wrists.they protect and support their heroes.we cut our nose to spite our own face.WE AS SUPPORTERS FIRST HAVE TO CHANGE OUR MINDSET!
Anonymous, wrote
Gary Kirsten should stick to coaching India....has he not also been part of teams at past World Cups that have "choked".....Last time I checked the so called experienced players like Boucher and Morkel have not won us any World Cups....Well done overall to the squad for generally playing positive cricket. I think you guys can take comfort that in the silly current format it is not always the best team that will win the Cup!
Vanessa, wrote
Our Cricketers are being funded with taxpayers money by and large. If they keep 'chocking' like this then I see it as a waste of good money. We are the laughing stock of the world. Other teams will constantly remind them of this 'chocking business'. They have to win big in order to get this monkey off their backs. How come other teams can do it and we can't?
Vanessa, wrote
Our Cricketers are being funded with taxpayers money by and large. If they keep 'chocking' like this then I see it as a waste of good money. We are the laughing stock of the world. Other teams will constantly remind them of this 'chocking business'. They have to win big in order to get this monkey off their backs. How come other teams can do it and we can't?
Anonymous, wrote
the blame lies with the slectors as well as the players leaving Boucher out of the side was a mistake that we felt against England. A professional should not be self medication himself before a game.
Peter, wrote
I don't blame Corrie, the problem lies fairly and squarely on the shoulders of the selectors and the captain - period!!
Wayne, wrote
ONE WORD - CHOKERS!!!!!! no ifs ands or buts. They chocked big time and always choke big time. Just like NZ rugby teams choke at the world cup. Why? Because they become timid when the pressure is on.
Dawie, wrote
Dear Corrie Firstly, stop choking and the fans will stop using the term! How do you think the label got applied in the first place. Secondly when chasing low targets, attack them!! Play as though you're chasing 300+ (something we're very good at).
Roland , wrote
ive been supporting sa cricket since 1999 and i just hate the way they hype us up and them break us down.i know i would like to just burn them at the stake but then as soon as the next world cup comes around ill be hoping that mabe this time it will be different.
champange, wrote
Anthony, wrote
The really sad aspect is that the coach and captain say how hard the plyers worked. We lost to England in a low scoring match because our top batsmaen appear unable to adapt their game to the situation. ie low scoring on slow pitch requires different batting then attacking batting on good wicket. we repeated this again against new zealand . so do the coach and captain talk to players? pressure is over used to be an excuse for poor coaching and poor people management. it isnt that hard to brief someone of what is expected and hold them accountable untill they demonstrate that they can either do it, or if not get rid of them
craig, wrote
How professional is it to blame the fans for destroying the morale of the national team? When does the finger-pointing stop?? RIDICULOUS! They earned this nickname all by themselves. The team is mentally weak and the entire selection process, captain and upper management needs to be changed. They have great jobs, so they must work harder at getting results!
Martin, wrote
Kirsten hit the nail on the head, the wrong 15 players were there... Had Faf not run AB out different game, had Boucher been there to steady a collapse, we would have taken England and NZ, had we a hitter like Albie in the side, we would stand a much better chance. Faf never looked like he would get a 100 the entire series. And why oh why was Colin Ingram not played instead of Johan Botha?! We needed batting power in depth, not a tail of 5!
peter, wrote
Sa are outright chokers. they bowed out in every world cup in style. i say SA should to playing criket. This game is not for sissies
Kwagga, wrote
We should get a Sport T-Shirt (Rugby) with the slogan in afrikaans that read "Ons het nie Ge-Choke Nie"
billy, wrote
Not chokers, my _ _ _, and then the coach has the cheek to tell me a supporter not to use the word as it upsets the team, if you cannot take the heat in the kitchen play domestic cricket. Nowhere did I see a Boucher fighting spirit, out top batsmen caught in front of the wicket, run out, bowlwed cuting off the sticks, all we needed was singles. Say no more.
billy, wrote
Not chokers, my _ _ _, and then the coach has the cheek to tell me a supporter not to use the word as it upsets the team, if you cannot take the heat in the kitchen play domestic cricket. Nowhere did I see a Boucher fighting spirit, out top batsmen caught in front of the wicket, run out, bowlwed cuting off the sticks, all we needed was singles. Say no more.
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