South Africa And The Never-Ending Rain Saga: 4 Times When Rain Affected The Proteas in ICC ODI Events

Add as a preferred source on Google

South Africa saw their Champions Trophy 2025 meeting against Australia end in a wash out due to rain in Rawalpindi, bringing back some sour memories for the Proteas in ICC events.

Although the wash out in Rawalpindi does not affect South Africa right away, there is a chance that Temba Bavuma's side could be headed out of the tournament like in their earlier outings when rain played a big role in their ouster.

South Africa have been part of several rain-affected exits and defeats in ICC 50-over tournaments right from their ODI World Cup debut in 1992 and the recent 2023 World Cup in India, where they reached the semi-final despite suffering a loss in a rain curtailed game.

South Africa will remain concerned despite leading Group B in Champion Trophy 2025 as rain has altered match conditions against them, often reducing their chances of winning. Here is a look at four instances when rain affected South Africa in ICC ODI events:

1992 World Cup - South Africa vs England

The Proteas were on the brink of a historic final in their debut World Cup, but rain changed their fortunes and saw them suffer defeat to England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia on 22nd March 1992.

Chasing 253 in 45 overs, South Africa needed 22 off 13 balls for victory in the semi-final when rain stopped play. After resumption, the target was unfairly revised to 21 runs off 1 ball. This led to the introduction of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, which also hasn't been kind for the Proteas.

2003 World Cup - South Africa vs Sri Lanka

One of the biggest miscalculations cost South Africa big time in the 2003 edition of the 50-over show-piece tournament. South Africa needed 230 in 45 overs to qualify for the Super Six round in their home World Cup.

However, wicketkeeper-batter Mark Boucher, unaware of the correct DLS target, played a defensive shot with the total at 229, believing his team had won when rain returned in the clash against Sri Lanka at the Kingsmead in Durban. But the match ended in a tie, knocking out Sourth Africa from the group stages.

2015 World Cup - South Africa vs New Zealand

The Proteas were favourites to win their first World Cup, but rain once again came to break their hearts at the Eden Park in Auckland. South Africa were well poised to set a big target, cruising at 216/3 in the 37th over when rain disrupted play.

Once play resumed, the overs were revised to 43 overs per side, leaving the Proteas just 6 overs to set a good target. South Africa posted 281 runs, with New Zealand's revised target set at 298. In a thrilling chase, New Zealand won with one ball to spare, ending South Africa's campaign.

2023 World Cup - South Africa vs Netherlands

Although it did not have a direct impact on their progress in the tournament, South Africa will want to forget their outing against Netherland, who had also knocked them out a year ago in the T20 World Cup.

In a rain-curtailed match at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, skipper Scott Edwards' 78 off 69 balls saw the Dutch recover from 140-7 to finish with 245-8 in 43 overs. Pacers Logan Van Beek and Paul Van Meekeren shared five wickets, while veteran spinner Roelof Van Der Merwe took 2-34 as South Africa collapsed to 207 all out (42.5 overs).