The Big Debate | Zaahier Adams and Ongama Gcwabe discuss the Proteas' chances at the T20 World Cup

The Proteas begin another T20 World Cup adventure with the dream of returning with ICC white-ball silverware.

They came closest last time out when they fell just short in a thrilling final against India in Barbados.

Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams and Ongama Gcwabe debate the Proteas’ chances in India.

Zaahier Adams: Why the Proteas will win

Belief 

Having overcome the semi-final hurdle in Tarouba two years ago was massive for this group of players. It showed them they could win crunch knockout matches at major tournaments. The WTC Final victory at Lord’s was also equally significant for it released a lot of the pressure the Proteas have been carrying on their shoulders all these years.

India experience 

The Proteas are fresh off an all-format tour to India where they would have encountered similar conditions to the T20 World Cup. They will know that all the surfaces are all batter-friendly and that bowlers are on a hiding to nothing. 

Equally, the majority of the squad has IPL experience which has exposed them to the fanatical crowds  expected at all the major venues.

Batting group

The bowling unit may be a concern, but the batters assembled can sit alongside any team at this T20 World Cup. The top three of Quinton de Kock, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are all in sublime form and possess potent power. They are followed by the exhilarating Dewald Brevis, while the experienced David Miller is back from injury. Tristan Stubbs and Jason Smith will juggle the No 6 spot before the big hitting allrounders George Linde, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch come to the fore. 

Shukri’s Midas touch

Never before in South African cricketing history has a coach been this instrumental to his team’s success. Shukri Conrad has already done the impossible with the Test side, winning the WTC Final and a clean sweep of India on home soil. The white-ball, particularly, the T20 side’s results have not been as flattering, but with all his guns at his disposal, the side is bound to improve. 

Conrad has also not done it the conventional way. There has always been a selection gamble here and there, but believe you me it's never without any premeditated thought process. 

He will no doubt pull a rabbit out of the hat again at this T20 World Cup because always expect the unexpected when Conrad is in charge. History, however, shows that it always works out in the end. 

Ongama Gcwabe: Why the Proteas will fall short

Off-form bowling attack

After 11 warm-up games, one can make an early call that this T20 World Cup will be the batters’ paradise. Thus far, scores upwards of 180 per innings have been reached 10 times, with India and South Africa’s 450-run fest in Navi Mumbai being the highest scoring encounter. This feat suggests that the wickets are flat and that the scores are likely to go higher, meaning the only factor that will likely separate winning teams from losing teams will be the quality of their bowling attacks. 

On paper, and also on potential alone, South Africa has one of the strongest bowling attacks, if not the strongest, with six big quicks and two quality finger spinners. A glance into their bowling line-up, Kagiso Rabada's name stands out and so does Marco Jansen's and Lungi Ngidi's.

However, in reality, South Africa’s bowling attack has been lagging, largely due to the fact that the majority of the quicks have just returned from lengthy injury layoffs including Rabada, who often sets the tone for the rest of the bowlers as the leader of the attack. 

A World Cup competition is no place to search for form. Thus, one can safely draw parallels, and the math suggests that the Proteas will be lucky to reach the final with their recent woeful bowling displays.  

Poor track record 

Moreover, generally as a team, the Proteas head into the tournament lacking confidence. The T20I side cannot claim that they have made winning a habit, having lost 20 out of 32 matches after the 2024 T20 World Cup final where they lost to India. The Proteas are a team without momentum, with a limping bowling attack, a set that is likely going to be their downfall during the tournament.   

Superior opposition

The quality of the opposition in this tournament are levels above South Africa at the moment. India are undoubtedly the favourite to win the tournament, while the world has learned to accept that you never rule Australia out of World Cups. England also recently beat South Africa by 146 runs, having scored 304/2, with the Proteas taking their biggest ever loss in T20I cricket. Afghanistan, New Zealand and Pakistan are no easy opponents either, suggesting that the Proteas will have their work cut out.