As a semifinal clash with Australia approaches on Thursday, it is time for South Africa to confront the ghost of World Cups past. There are regrets galore, especially when it comes to knockout matches and Australia.
The spirit reveals the most distressing vision of the 1999 World Cup semifinal, when Allan Donald and Lance Klusener sunk into brain fade mode to let the Aussies through to the final. Travel to 2007, where a shocking South African batting collapse made it an easy day out for Australia in another last-four game.
Even going all the way back to 1992, South Africa exited the semifinal stage at the hands of a cruel rain rule. From needing 22 runs off 13 balls when showers interrupted play, Brian McMillan and Dave Richardson returned to the crease with an impossible task of getting 21 runs from one delivery.
