SWOT analysis of South Africa ahead of 2023 ODI World Cup

South Africa have always come into the World Cup as favourites, but have been part of the showpiece event in eight editions and have never been able to lift the coveted title. They will put up a strong performance in the group stage but will fail to cross the final hurdle. However, this time South Africa is not the favourite of many as it has lost its old lustre in recent times.

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They have a decent squad, but eight of the 15 players will be playing their maiden World Cup, including their skipper. The Temba Bavuma-led side will kick off their 2023 ODI World Cup journey against Sri Lanka on October 7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. The Proteas had a forgettable outing in the previous edition of the World Cup, winning just three of their nine games and finishing seventh.

As South Africa aims to clinch their maiden title or reach the final of the premier 50-over tournament, let's do a SWOT analysis on them. 

Strengths - Batting powerhouse, Incredible pace attack 

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South Africa's biggest strength is their formidable batting unit, especially their middle order. A team consisting of three players currently ranked among the top 10 batters in the world is always a nightmare for opposition bowlers. Their opening batter Quinton de Kock (7th) and middle-order batters Rassie van der Dussen (3rd) and Heinrich Klaasen (8th) are in red-hot form. Apart from them, Aiden Markram and David Miller are also dangerous. Moreover, all of them are good against spin, which is important for succeeding in Indian conditions.

Weaknesses - Injuries, Lack of quality death bowling

Fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup with injuries. Norje's injury has dampened South Africa's lethal pace attack. His absence in the death overs will hurt them as Marco Janssen and Kagiso Rabada have been leaking runs at the end. The only consolation for the Proteas team is that the Indian pitches are spin-friendly.

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Opportunities – Entering the tournament as an underdog, IPL experience

As South Africa have not performed well in recent times, they enter the tournament as underdogs. However, this will reduce the pressure on them and underestimating them could prove dangerous for other teams. Given the destructive middle-order and shorter Indian boundaries, the Proteas can turn the tables this time. Another factor is that most of their first-choice players, including de Kock, Markram, Rabada, Klaasen, Miller and Lungi Ngidi, have experience playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Threats - Lack of experience playing on the big stage, Weak spin attack

As mentioned earlier, eight of their 15 players will play their maiden World Cup, including their skipper Bavuma. Winning a tournament like the World Cup requires skills and talent but also the ability to survive under pressure.

Another concern for South Africa will be their spin department. Going to play in spin-friendly pitches, they have only one prime spinner - Tabraiz Shamsi. Keshav Maharaj is also an option for the Proteas but he keeps leaking runs. They also have a part-time option in Aiden Markram, but that doesn't bolster their spin attack.

South Africa squad for 2023 ODI World Cup: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen (wk), David Miller, Rassie Van der Dussen, Marco Jansen, Andile Phehlukwayo, Gerald Coetzee, Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Lizaad Williams.