South Africa’s ICC curse continues, suffer 7th consecutive loss in knockout matches in 738 days

The last ICC title South Africa won was the 2014 Under-19 Men's ODI World Cup; that was their second ICC title after the 1998 Knockout Cup (now the ICC Champions Trophy).

The South Africa cricket team struggles at the ICC events continue. Proteas issues in crunch moments or knockout matches aren’t hidden from anyone. Everyone remembers that 1999 ODI World Cup semifinal where Allan Donald and Lance Klusner suffered a brain fade moment with just one run required to make their maiden final. Their men’s team has never made an ICC final since. Of course, they will play in the World Test Championship 2025 Final against Australia on June 11. By the point, it stands.

South Africa loses 7th ICC knockout match in 738 days

26 years later, the issues remain the same. South Africa has been knocked out of the ICC Champions Trophy. Proteas have now lost 7 consecutive knockout matches in ICC events. From the start of 2023, their men’s and women’s (senior and junior) cricket teams have made the semifinal or better in 7 events but haven’t won one.

The first four defeats were tight, which included the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal defeat at the hands of Australia and the T20 World Cup 2024 Final defeat to India. But the last three have been proper drubbings. One must remember that only the men’s team had serious scar issues. But such tough times have started to come for the women’s and junior teams as well. They seem to be stuck in a loop from which they can’t escape.

South Africa in ICC events since 2023

February 26, 2023: Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, lost to Australia by 19 runs in the Final

November 16, 2023: Men’s ODI World Cup 2023, lost to Australia by 3 wickets in the Semifinal

February 6, 2024: Under-19 Men’s ODI World Cup 2024, lost to India by 2 wickets in the Semifinal

June 29, 2024: Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, lost to India by 7 runs in the Final

October 20, 2024: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, lost to New Zealand by 32 runs in the Final

February 2, 2025: Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, lost to India by 9 wickets in the Final

March 5, 2025: Men’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025, lost to New Zealand by 50 runs in the Semifinal

June 11, 2025: World Test Championship 2025 Final, Pending