Boucher admits Proteas deserved to be better in Australia: 'We looked flat'

Outgoing Proteas coach Mark Boucher insists that his side deserved better as they made a shocking exit from the T20 World Cup in Australia.

South Africa was knocked out of the T20 World Cup on Sunday after falling short by 13 runs against the Netherlands at Adelaide Oval.

It effectively ended South Africa's run in Australia and it saw Boucher's tenure as Proteas head coach come to an end.

READ | Skipper Bavuma gutted after Proteas World Cup shocker: 'A lot went wrong'

Chasing 159 for victory, South Africa's batting line-up crumbled once again as they ended short on 145-8 and were subsequently eliminated from the T20 global showpiece.

"I think if you look at how we started the game, our energies were low. Whether that's because it's a half-past-10 game, times have been quite difficult, I don't know, I haven't really put my finger on it," Boucher told reporters on Sunday.

"I haven't had a chance to speak to the guys yet and find out where they sort of feel it went wrong. I think our plans were there, but we didn't quite use them well enough.

"I thought if you look at the game as a whole, I think Netherlands out-bowled us. They bowled with good plans, bowled to the longer side of the field, and they were just able to create more pressure on us than we were able to put pressure on them."

Boucher steps away from his post after nearly three years to take charge of Indian Premier League giants Mumbai Indians. 

The former Proteas wicketkeeper-batter admitted that Sunday's loss was among the worst defeats of his career.

"Yeah, gutted, to be honest. I think this squad deserved to give themselves a better chance, and yeah, unfortunately, it didn't happen for us, which is very disappointing for me and certainly every single guy who's in our