South Africa keen to shed choker's tag against powerhouse Australia

KOLKATA : South Africa sense an opportunity to finally get rid of the choker's tag but the onerous task entails getting the better of the most successful team in the history of 50-overs World Cup, Australia, in Thursday's semi-final in Kolkata.

"Hurt by a combination of bad luck and nerves in the business end of showpiece event, South Africa are pitted against a powerhouse who thrive in those big moments as Australia have demonstrated with five titles.

The Proteas need to be in control of their nerves to be in control of their destiny, and barring the batting meltdown against India, they have looked formidable finishing second in the group stage behind the hosts.

There is plenty of firepower in their top order and Australia got their fingers burnt when Quinton de Kock's rapid hundred secured the Proteas' comprehensive victory in a group match in Lucknow.

South Africa, who have never progressed beyond the last four, are fretting over the availability of skipper Temba Bavuma, who is nursing a hamstring strain.

"We will continuously assess his progress through the management plan over the next few days towards giving him the best chance to play on Thursday," the team said in a statement.

Should he miss the semi-finals, Aiden Markram would lead the side, while Reeza Hendricks is likely to open along side de Kock, who has smashed four hundreds in his final ODI tournament.

They have looked more comfortable setting targets than chasing one though, and they will expect more penetration from their bowlers against a resurgent Australia.

Regardless of how their group stage campaign ebbed and flowed, it came as no surprise when Australia hurled towards the knockout stages by stringing together seven wins in a row following that defeat by