Say what? Bavuma suggests Proteas need to accept 'chokers' tag to cure habit: 'Can't shy away'

Temba Bavuma has, in a seemingly strange case of reverse psychology, suggested that the Proteas will need to embrace their "chokers" tag to an extent in order to finally break the curse.

South Africa's infamous habit of "asphyxiating" when the stakes are at their highest in ICC tournaments once again reared its head vividly following a shock loss to the Netherlands last weekend, a result that eliminated them from the T20 World Cup's race for a semi-final spot.

The Proteas hadn't lost to the men in orange in six previous meetings.

With next year's 50-over showpiece in India less than 12 months away, they need to exercise those mental demons summarily.

That is assuming they actually get there as a pressure-laden, last-gasp period for automatic qualification looms as well as the very real possibility of having to go to Zimbabwe in May to participate in the qualifying tournament. 

Nonetheless, Bavuma has made peace with the label sticking to him and his teammates.

READ | Visibly pained Bavuma maintains he wants to take his time on Proteas captaincy issue

"I don't believe it's something we need to shy away from. It's not something we need to pull water over," he said upon the team's arrival from Australia on Wednesday evening. 

"The one thing we have to accept as a current group is that we're going to have to carry the chokers tag again."

His thinking perhaps emanates from the fact that if South Africa are going to shed their unwanted reputation, the remedy is a simple one ... at least on paper. 

"The way to overcome it is to see to it that you get yourself into a final of an ICC competition and win it," said Bavuma.

"That's the only way we'll shed this. In five years' time (when South Africa hosts the 2027 50-over World Cup), I hope