Have South Africa played any ICC final?
The perennial under-achievers of Men's cricket, South Africa, will take on Team India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday, June 29. Irrespective of the outcome, South Africa have already accomplished a feat that none of their past teams have done in Men's cricket.
The current Proteas outfit became the first to ever qualify for a World Cup (ODI and T20) final in their 32-year history. Yet, they have played in one other ICC final before way back in the 1998 Champions Trophy. It remains their lone ICC title when they defeated the West Indies in the grand finale.
However, South Africa have played in the final of the Men's Under-19 World Cups thrice in 2002, 2008, and 2014 and won in the last of the three appearances in 2014. There has only been one Women's Under-19 World Cup (T20) and South Africa did not qualify for the final.
Coming to the South African Women's senior side, they have never played in the 50-over World Cup final but qualified for the latest T20 World Cup in 2023, their maiden appearance.
To sum up, South Africa have qualified for six ICC finals in their history, including the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup.
South Africa have enjoyed an unbeaten run through the 2024 T20 World Cup
South Africa have not only reached their first-ever Men's World Cup final at the senior level in the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, but they have done so in style.
Aiden Markram, who captained the U-19 side to their lone World Cup title in 2014, has led the current outfit with terrific composure and street-smart tactics. The Proteas won all four group-stage games to finish atop the standings and advance to the Super Eights.
In the Super Eights, South Africa overcame stiff challenges from the USA, England, and the West Indies to qualify for the semifinals. They arguably put in their best performance in the semi-final as they decimated Afghanistan to pull off a nine-wicket victory with over 11 overs to spare.
Should they triumph in the finale against India, it will be just the second ICC title for the Men's senior side since Hansie Cronje led them to the 1998 Champions Trophy win.