The Japan Times - South Africa aim to banish choker tag in WTC final against Australia

Despite being able to call on some of the sport's most formidable players, South Africa have won just one major tournament over the last 27 years.

They lifted the ICC Knockout, a forerunner of the Champions Trophy, back in 1998.

But by contrast the top-ranked Australians, who beat India in the 2023 WTC final, have an enviable record at the sharp end of the biggest events.

They have won the one-day World Cup a record six times, lifted the Champions Trophy twice and have also triumphed at the T20 World Cup.

South Africa have earned an unwanted tag as repeat failures when the stakes are highest after an agonising run of near-misses.

In last year's T20 World Cup final, despite needing 30 to win off 30 balls with six wickets remaining, they still lost to India in Barbados.

However, South Africa coach Shukri Conrad, speaking ahead of Wednesday's opening day of the five-day final, said: "The more finals you play in, you obviously improve your chances of winning. It doesn't weigh heavy on us.

"It's unfair to burden this group with anything that's gone before.

"We know we want to and we need to win another ICC event, but whatever tags come along, we don't wear that."

South Africa reeled off six successive wins to book their place in this year's WTC final, effectively playing 'knockout' cricket to qualify after losing with a weakened side in New Zealand in 2024 when officials prioritised a domestic T20 competition.

With a title in their sights, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes Australia's decision to push Marnus Labuschagne up the order to open for the first time in Tests indicates how South Africa could triumph at Lord's.

"I think both teams have formidable bowling attacks," he said.

"The real opportunity is within the two batting line-ups and how they are able to kind of front up and give their bowlers a score to bowl at."

Several players in South Africa's side will be new to Australia, with the champions' captain, Pat Cummins, saying: "I think we're going to have to problem solve on our feet a bit more."

- 'Shambles masquerading as a showpiece' -

The WTC's format has faced widespread criticism, with Wisden, the sport's most revered publication, proclaiming it "a shambles masquerading as a showpiece".

Political tensions mean India and Pakistan have not played a Test against each other since 2007.

The nine-nation WTC is further skewed because the teams are not all required to face each other or to play the same number of matches, with positions in the table based on the percentage of available points won.

South Africa played just 12 Tests in the current cycle -- all of them two-match series -- compared to England's 22, and have not faced either England or Australia, who reached the final with 13 wins from 19 Tests.

Conrad countered the criticism of his side's path to the final by pointing out they had enjoyed wins over teams who had beaten the 'Big Three' of India, Australia and England.

"One of the 'nobodies' we beat won a Test match in Australia -- West Indies beat Australia in a Test match. They are not nobody," insisted Conrad.

"New Zealand beat India, three-zip in India. New Zealand is not a nobody."

This week's match is only the third WTC final, with New Zealand the inaugural champions in 2021.

And for all its faults, Cummins is adamant the WTC is a prize worth winning.

"You've got to basically win in all different conditions to make it into this final," the fast bowler said.

"If we can retain that mace, that's a pretty awesome thing for this team."

K.Abe--JT