When the South African cricket team arrived in India to play the ICC ODI World Cup 2023, no former cricketer or cricket expert named them in the list of the top four teams of the tournament but as we proceed ahead in the tournament, it has become quite certain that now the Proteas are strong contenders of the trophy.
Temba Bavuma-led South African team put up a great show in the match against New Zealand which was played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune and won the match by 190 runs. South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has impressed everyone with his performances as he has smashed 4 centuries in the 7 matches that he has played in the World Cup 2023 and currently, he is the leading run scorer with 545 runs. In an interview, Quinton de Kock stated that he wants to give everything in his last ODI World Cup as the 30-yr old cricketer will take retirement from the ODI format after the World Cup 2023.
As far as the match is concerned, the Black Caps won the toss and chose to bowl first. Though skipper Temba Bavuma got out early at the score of 24 runs, Quinton de Kock (114 runs, 116 balls, 10 fours & 3 sixes) and Rassie van der Dussen (133 runs, 118 balls, 9 fours & 5 sixes) not only stabilized the innings but also provided the platform for a big score by stitching a partnership of 200 runs for the second wicket. David Miller also played a blistering knock of 53 runs for which he played only 30 balls and his innings included 2 fours & 4 sixes. South Africa posted a big total of 357/4 on the scoreboard and everyone expected that it will be a thrilling contest as New Zealand has a strong batting line-up but it turned out to be one-sided affair with New Zealand getting all out for 167 runs.
Keshav Maharaj was the top wicket taking bowler for South Africa as he dismissed 4 batters and Marco Jansen also took 3 wickets for his team.
X was flooded with reactions as South Africa registered a big win over New Zealand:
Bowlers after bowling to Quinton de Kock👑in this World Cup🫣. A dream World Cup for a player before retirement💯#WorldCup2023 @QuinnyDeKock69 pic.twitter.com/qtFLeG7dYm
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) November 1, 2023
No matter how easy it is to chase on a particular pitch-ground…there’s a lot of merit in batting first against this South African mean-batting-machine.
4 centuries by QDK. Rassie closing on to his second. They are just unbelievably good batting first. #CWC23 #SAvNZ— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) November 1, 2023
I am afraid New Zealand's campaign is in danger of capsizing here……
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 1, 2023
Records broken by Quinton De Kock today:
– 1st South African to score 500 runs in a WC edition.
– Most sixes in a WC edition as a Wicketkeeper.
– 3rd in history to score 4 or more WC centuries.
– Most runs as a Wicketkeeper in a WC edition.
– 1st to reach 500 runs in this WC.
-… pic.twitter.com/lB0hstYtvL— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 1, 2023
– 4 Hundreds for De Kock.
– 2 Hundreds for Van Der Dussen.
– 1 Hundred for Markram.
– 1 Hundred for Klassen.South African batting in World Cup 2023 is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/FVeRvdyBDY
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 1, 2023
South Africa 🇿🇦beat England In Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cup on the same day, they beat New Zealand in Rugby World Cup final and they are about to beat New Zealand in Cricket World Cup game too, say what you want about them but they are a great sporting nation 👏👏👏🙌
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) November 1, 2023
Quinton de Kock first to player to score 500 runs in this World Cup 2023.
A Unbelievable ending for Quinton de Kock in ODI Cricket, His Retirement after This WC is So Memorable and Great Achievement To him#NZvsSA— VINEETH𓃵👑 (@sololoveee) November 1, 2023
Quinton De Kock is having a dream run in his last ODI World Cup. 4 centuries from just 7 matches, crazy stuff. #NZvsSA pic.twitter.com/Vz6dsOUWgQ
— R A T N I S H (@LoyalSachinFan) November 1, 2023
Congratulations South Africa you've been amazing throughout the World Cup. 👏
Proteas win over New Zealand brought Pakistan on the track, and now Pakistan vs New Zealand game will be appropriate for both teams like a knockout on Saturday.#NZvsSA— Saeed Anwar (@ImSaeedAnwar) November 1, 2023
What a World Cup Quinton is having. Four centuries in seven games is just phenomenal #SAvsNZ
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) November 1, 2023
South Africa To ICC :- #NZvsSA || #SAvsNZ pic.twitter.com/MjnjXKp78Q
— Sir BoiesX (@BoiesX45) November 1, 2023
Which teams other than South Africa and India will make it into semi-finals in your opinion?