(Image Source: IANS)
[Saba Sports News] Former South African captain AB de Villiers, speaking on JioCinema’s daily show ‘#AAKASHVANI,’ discussed South Africa’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of the World Cup. He praised their aggressive style of play and never-say-die attitude, likening them to New Zealand. De Villiers highlighted their fielding prowess and the firepower provided by players like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen. However, he expressed concern about their lack of recent success and not being among the top-ranked teams globally.
De Villiers emphasized that South Africa needs to put up substantial scores to win matches. He relied on Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma to provide a strong foundation, with explosive batters like Klaasen, Markram, and Miller to control the innings. He mentioned that South Africa’s bowling attack needs early breakthroughs, and he hoped Kagiso Rabada and others would step up.
In terms of predictions, De Villiers believed South Africa could go far in the World Cup and suggested they might face a crucial game in the quarters or semis that could propel them to victory. He even envisioned South Africa winning the World Cup, although he acknowledged India as the favorite and recognized other strong teams in the competition. De Villiers saw the semi-finals as a pivotal moment and believed that if South Africa reaches that stage, they could lift the trophy in 2023.