South Africa 2019 Cricket World Cup squad: Key players, fixtures, prediction, odds and more

South Africa will be without legendary batsman and former Test captain AB de Villers, who retired after he had “run out of gas”, but they retain a credible chance of causing an upset at the World Cup.

South Africa were knocked out in the semi-finals in heart-breaking fashion in 1992, 1999, 2007 and 2015.

With ODIs becoming a batsman’s game, South Africa’s strong bowling attack may not be enough to go one, or two, games further than a semi-final, although there is cause for hope with Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis showing no signs of slowing down.

Five series wins in a row, including a 2-1 win against Australia during the Aussies’ controversial tour of South Africa, show that this side will take some beating.

Here is everything that you need to know.

Fixtures

• Vs England, Thursday 30 May, The Oval, London

• Vs Bangadesh, Sunday 2 June, The Oval, London

• Vs India, Wednesday 5 June, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

• Vs West Indies, Monday 10 June, Hampshire Bowl, Southampton

• VS Afghanistan, Saturday 15 June, Cardiff Wales Stadium, Cardiff

• Vs New Zealand, Wednesday 19 June, Edgbaston, Birmingham

• Vs Pakistan, Sunday 23 June, Lord’s, London

• Vs Sri Lanka, Friday 28 June, The Riverside Durham, Chester-le-Street

• Vs Australia, Saturday 6 July, Old Trafford, Manchester

Squad

Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock (wk), JP Duminy, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Chris Morris, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rassie van der Dussen.

Key Players

South Africa will rely heavily on Quinton de Kock’s fitness this summer as their only specialist wicket-keeper.

Fitness aside, de Kock has the ability and range of shots his artillery to county and bowler that he faces. South Africa are heavily reliant on their bowlers to win matches and will look to de Kock to protect the middle order with a strong opening display.

Captain

Faf du Plessis is determined to shake the ‘chokers’ tag that has often, perhaps unfairly, been thrown South Africa’s way by urging his side to stop trying “superhuman things”.

One to watch

Kagiso Rabada will lead the bowling attack with his frightening pace and his form is likely to go a long way to determining how the Proteas perform.

Imran Tahir compliments a threatening bowling attack and will certainly add to his 162 ODI wickets in 98 games.

Odds to win

10/1

Prediction

South Africa have the bowling attack to dismantle any top or middle-order in the world and will rely heavily on de Kock’s batting in run chases.

With good form behind them, strength in depth in vital areas and a star batter, there is certainly potential for them to avenge some of those semi-final defeats.