Mark Boucher Urges South Africa to Overcome 'Chokers' Tag Ahead of WTC Final

Boucher's Call for Support

Mark Boucher, the former South African cricketer, has advised against labeling the national team as 'chokers' prior to their clash with Australia in the World Test Championship final. In an interview with ESPN, Boucher, who has also coached the team, expressed confidence in the young squad, stating,

"We're competing for a trophy, and while many doubt our chances, I believe the atmosphere in Test cricket is different. It spans a longer duration, and it's crucial to seize key moments during the match."

Boucher believes that winning a trophy could help the team shed the 'chokers' label. Reflecting on South Africa's past near-misses, he remarked,

"The 'chokers' tag will persist until we secure a trophy. It's unfair to burden these young players with the failures of the past, but they hold the key to shaping their own destinies."

The South African team, led by Temba Bavuma, is set to face Pat Cummins' Australia on June 11 at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Understanding the 'Chokers' Label

South Africa has earned the 'chokers' label in cricket due to a history of faltering under pressure in significant ICC tournaments. This stigma began after the devastating 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia, where a crucial run-out of Allan Donald eliminated South Africa despite being in a winning position.

In 2003, as hosts, they misjudged the DLS target in a rain-affected match against Sri Lanka, resulting in an early exit from the tournament. The 2011 World Cup saw them collapse against New Zealand in the quarter-finals, and in 2015, they suffered another semi-final defeat to the Kiwis despite strong performances from stars like AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis.

The team has also stumbled in T20 World Cups, losing essential matches against India in 2007 and 2014. In 2021, despite winning four out of five matches, they failed to reach the semi-finals due to a poor net run rate.

One of the most surprising outcomes occurred during the 2022 T20 World Cup when they lost to the Netherlands in Adelaide. These recurring disappointments, despite having top-tier players, have solidified South Africa's reputation as cricket's perennial 'chokers.'