South Africa look to avoid dropping another World Cup against nemesis Australia

KOLKATA : Should South Africa finally shed the World Cup 'chokers' tag by beating Australia in their semi-final on Thursday it may feel doubly sweet given the prominent role their opponents have played in creating the myth of the panicky Proteas.

Nearly a quarter-century has passed since the classic 1999 World Cup semi-final where South Africa needed one run from four balls for victory, only to draw the match and be eliminated due to Australia's higher placed finish in the Super Sixes stage.

Far more than just a bleak day for South African cricket, the Edgbaston debacle remains a historical reference point for all the ills that have since befallen the Proteas at World Cups.

While the semi-final was dramatic enough in isolation, South Africa's doom was actually a tragicomedy in two parts, with act one being the final Super Six match against Australia days earlier.

Australia captain Steve Waugh played the villain to perfection, scoring a match-winning, unbeaten century after being bizarrely reprieved by Herschelle Gibbs.

Gibbs had jogged to his side at mid-wicket to take a simple catch but spilled the ball when set to fling it skyward in celebration.

"You've just dropped the World Cup," were the words attributed to Waugh after Gibbs's drop, though neither player has ever corroborated the remark.

It proved the sharpest of turning points as Waugh guided Australia to victory with two balls to spare, saving his team from the brink of elimination.

South Africa, chasing a modest 214 for victory in the teams' re-match in the semi-final, entered the final over at 205 for nine, with Lance Klusener on strike and tail-ender Allan Donald at the other end.

Klusener thumped fours off paceman Damien Fleming's first two balls to leave South Africa