South Africa’s unbeaten run in the Cricket World Cup came to an end following their shock 38-run defeat by the Netherlands in Dharamsala.
South Africa, one of the tournament favourites, were bowled out for 207 in the shadow of the Himalayas while chasing 246 to win from a rain-reduced 43 overs. Dutch captain Scott Edwards scored a crucial 78 not out.
The Dutch eliminated South Africa from the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia last November.
This was the second major upset in three days at the World Cup, following Afghanistan’s victory over defending champion England on Sunday.
“When we came into the tournament we wanted to have a chance at playing semi-finals and if you want to do that you’ve got to beat teams,” said Edwards.
“Obviously South Africa are probably one of the favourites the way they are playing so it is a big win for us.”
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, acknowledged that the loss was painful.
“There is no point trying to forget what happened. It will hurt and it should hurt. Tomorrow we’ll get back on the journey, our campaign is by no means over,” added Bavuma whose indisciplined side earlier conceded 32 extras, including 21 wides.
There was no indication of impending drama as South Africa reached 36-0 in pursuit with relative ease.
However, four wickets fell while only eight runs were added.
Quinton de Kock had scored centuries in South Africa’s opening victories against Sri Lanka and Australia.
Colin Ackermann, one of three South African-born players in the Dutch starting lineup, caught him off guard on the 20th minute.
Ackermann was the game’s most valuable player when the Netherlands stunned South Africa in Adelaide a year ago.
Three runs later, Bavuma (16) was clean bowled by Roelof van der Merwe, who played 13 ODIs for South Africa prior to moving to the Netherlands.
Seamer Paul van Meekeren beat Aiden Markram’s defences for one before Van der Merwe’s cunning left-arm spin enticed Rassie van der Dussen into a rash reverse sweep, which Aryan Dutt caught at backward point.
In the victory over Sri Lanka, De Kock, Markram, and Van der Dussen each scored a century to contribute to South Africa’s World Cup record total of 428.
Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller steadily rebuilt the innings with a 45-run stand before Logan van Beek took the fifth wicket.
Klaasen, on 28, attempted a long-hop but was caught by Vikramjit Singh at fine leg, leaving South Africa on the brink at 89-5.
Marco Jansen (9) had his stumps shattered by Van Meekeren as South Africa fell to 109-6, and the game was effectively over when David Miller missed a swing at Van Beek after scoring 43.
Bas de Leede cleaned up Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada before Van Beek ended Keshav Maharaj’s late, defiant 40.
It was the first victory for the Netherlands in this World Cup after losses to Pakistan and New Zealand.
Edwards played an outstanding innings, while Van der Merwe excelled in a late cameo, as the Netherlands posted a valiant 245-8.
Edwards scored runs off 69 balls, including 10 fours and one six.
Van der Merwe, 38, scored 29 runs off 19 balls, including three fours and a six, before being caught behind by Lungi Ngiyi.
Edwards and Van der Merwe added 64 runs for the eighth wicket when the Dutch were struggling at 112 for six.
Rabada took his 150th ODI wicket as South Africa’s fearsome pace attack decimates the Dutch top order in chilly, wet conditions.
Rabada reached his milestone with the first ball of his spell, when he cramped up opener Singh and coaxed a top edge to Klaasen.
In his 95th ODI, Rabada also removed the dangerous De Leede by lbw for two.
Max O’Dowd, Ackermann, Sybrand Engelbrecht, and Teja Nidamanuru all scored double digits, but they struggled against Rabada and his fellow fast bowlers Jansen, Coetzee, and Ngadi.
Dutt hit nine balls for 23 runs, including three sixes, while remaining unbeaten.
