South Africa coach issues warning to Afghanistan ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final

Walter emphasizes this team is different and focused on their current performance, having won all seven matches

PHOTO: AFP

South Africa coach Rob Walter is confident his team won't be haunted by past failures in ICC events as they face Afghanistan on Thursday in Trinidad for a place in the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

Despite South Africa's talent, they've only won one international title, the 1998 Champions Trophy, and have a poor World Cup knockout record.

Walter emphasizes this team is different and focused on their current performance, having won all seven matches so far despite some close calls.

"The near misses in the past, they belong to the people who missed them," insisted Walter.

"This team is a different team. We own whatever is ours to own. And so, our nearest reflection point is this tournament where we've managed to get over the line. So that's what we think about."

"It's always great to dream and I think everyone in South Africa dreams of the time when a trophy gets lifted. No doubt that will happen. Whether it's going to be this week, that remains to be seen," added Walter.

The coach issued a warning ahead of the semi-final saying that they are yet to play their best game in the tournament.

"We're just going to try and play the best game of cricket that we can. And we still haven't played our best game yet."

Walter acknowledged Afghanistan's improvement, praising their style and support.

"We're seeing Afghanistan in a T20 semi-final. It's awesome for the game of cricket. I love the way they play the game and the way they support it," said Walter.

He also dismisses concerns about opener Reeza Hendricks' form, citing his recent 80 against the West Indies and emphasizing his quality as a cricketer.

"Reeza's form doesn't bother me at all. He's a quality cricketer," said the coach.

"It was just three and a half weeks ago that he scored a magnificent 80 against the West Indies (in a pre-World Cup game), a man-alone performance really.

"He's a wonderful cricketer and good batsmen are just one shot away from contributing to the team and that's all we are interested in is giving him the freedom to do that."