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[Saba Sports News] The 2015 World Cup semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand left cricket fans deeply saddened as they witnessed the Proteas’ defeat. The enduring image of South African players shedding tears on the field remains etched in memory.
Faf du Plessis, a crucial part of the Proteas squad during that tournament, has provided insights into the emotional turmoil that unfolded in the dressing room following that devastating loss.
Du Plessis, reflecting on that fateful moment, described it as an exceptional occurrence in his cricketing journey. He emphasized that he had never seen a change room more despondent. He highlighted the significant role played by the weather, pointing out that when rain interrupted the match, New Zealand’s primary bowlers had already exhausted their allotted overs. South Africa had been defending a target of 400, and the rain-shortened game allowed Brendon McCullum and his team to seize the advantage.
“When we were batting first and the rain came, it’s worth mentioning that all their main bowlers had finished their spells, and we were definitely eyeing a total of 400. A shortened game brought someone like Brendon McCullum into the equation, and they got off to a great start. We had a couple of opportunities; it wasn’t all bad luck,” Du Plessis explained during a pre-match show on Star Sports.
He went on to express the profound impact of that game, saying, “But, after that match, oh my word! I have never seen a change room so shattered. The last time I cried this much was when I watched ‘The Lion King’ as a child. After that day, I sat in the dressing room and couldn’t stop crying. I looked around and saw 8-9 guys who were completely broken. It’s the most memorable and yet the worst cricket game I’ve been a part of, considering everything that happened.”
The 2015 World Cup loss also left an indelible mark on AB de Villiers’ cricketing career. The former South African captain revealed that the painful memory of his team’s defeat to New Zealand in the semi-final haunted him for almost a year and played a significant role in his abrupt decision to retire from international cricket.
In that rain-affected semi-final, South Africa suffered a four-wicket loss to New Zealand through the Duckworth-Lewis method. De Villiers candidly acknowledged the deep struggle he experienced in coming to terms with that heart-wrenching loss.
“That really took a toll on me, but I continued to play, trying to tough it out and be there for the team. I was batting really well, and I still had incredible friendships and memories,” De Villiers shared with Harsha Bhogle.