The 32nd match of the ICC World Cup 2023 between New Zealand and South Africa will be played today at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
The match will begin at 1:30 pm (PST).
South Africa, despite teams featuring the likes of Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes, Herschelle Gibbs, Lance Klusener, and AB de Villiers, have yet to win the World Cup since their post-apartheid entry into the event in 1992.
They have often been the authors of their downfall, going out after a tied semi-final against Australia in 1999 when they had the game all but won, misreading rain-affected run-rate rules in 2003, and losing another last-four thriller against New Zealand in 2015.
The manner of South Africa’s exits has led to accusations of “choking” and their critics were ready with fresh suggestions of mental frailty following a shock loss to the Netherlands earlier in this edition.
But that reverse remains South Africa’s lone defeat so far in six World Cup games in India, with the Proteas just holding their nerve to defeat Pakistan by one wicket last time out.
Head-to-Head in ODIs
The two nations have met 71 times in the 50-over format, out of which New Zealand have won 25 times, while South Africa have won 41 times.
Five contests have produced no results.
Head-to-Head in ODI World Cup
The two sides have met eight times in the showpiece event, with New Zealand holding the edge at the big event. New Zealand have won six times out of the eight, while South Africa have won remaining two.
