A heartbreaking loss, but this was no choke

The word "choke" is bandied around a lot when it comes to South Africa and cricket – especially World Cup cricket – and not without reason. But let's be clear: there was no "choke" in Auckland last night.

In an epic semi-final, there was drama and tension right up until Grant Elliott launched the penultimate ball into the Eden Park stands. New Zealand's elation at their first semi-final win was as stark and obvious as South Africa's devastation.

Both sides dropped catches and missed run-out opportunities. South Africa had fielded brilliantly for the vast majority of the game, throwing themselves about the field, saving runs, cutting off singles, creating pressure.

No doubt about it, South Africa missed opportunities that may have turned the match: AB de Villiers' fumble at the stumps and failure to run out Corey Anderson; wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock's missed gather for another clear run-out chance; the dropped catch in the deep by substitute fielder Farhaan Behardien and near collision with JP Duminy; even the multiple diving saves on the boundary line that ricocheted back over the rope.

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De Villiers blows a run-out chance in Auckland // Getty Images

There will also be many decisions put under the microscope during the forensic post-match analysis. 

The selection of the returning and perhaps underdone Vernon Philander over Kyle Abbott; the decision to push through the overs from fifth bowler JP Duminy once South Africa had the early breakthrough instead of going for the jugular; Dale Steyn failing to stem the tide from Brendon McCullum's early onslaught, and how much did that injury hamper his final over?

But, South Africa's sad history in World Cups means last night's defeat will, inevitably, be spoken of in terms of the nation's reputation for throwing it away in the big games.

It is a real and heavy burden for the players past, present and future. Jacques Kallis wrote about his experiences with "choking" at length for cricket.com.au. And when South Africa finally won a World Cup knock-out match, ending Sri Lanka's run in the quarter-finals, Kallis rejoiced. "The dam has burst with a flood," he wrote. Graeme Smith tweeted he was moved to tears at that result and conceded on commentary in Auckland last night he was trembling with nerves.

But does a lack of "choke" make this heartbreak any easier to accept for South African cricket fans? Or does it swing the other way? Here was a team that was good enough, that did have the mental strength and fortitude and resilience to win – they just ran into a team better on the night.

This was South Africa's fourth loss in as many semi-finals. They will hope they don't have to emulate New Zealand, who had lost six before finally reaching their first World Cup final at the seventh attempt.

A history of South Africa heartbreak

1992 World Cup – semi-final

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The Proteas' impossible position in Sydney // Getty Images

South Africa, allowed into their first World Cup in the run-up to the end of apartheid, were on the cusp of a fairytale appearance when rain stopped play with the Proteas needing 22 off 13 balls for victory. But, by the time they came back on the field just 10 minutes later, the scoreboard showed they needed an impossible 22 off one ball under the rules governing rain-affected matches at the time

1996 World Cup – quarter-final

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Lara salutes his quarter-final century in Karachi // Getty Images

South Africa made a selection blunder in omitting Allan Donald for spinner Paul Adams on a seamers' paradise in a Karachi quarter-final. They went to pieces in the field as Brian Lara scored a dashing 111 in their quarter-final against a West Indies team that bundled out the heavily-favoured Proteas.

1999 World Cup – super-sixes

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Waugh launches a six at Headingley in 1999 // Getty Images

Steve Waugh denies he uttered the famous sledge "You've just dropped the World Cup" (it was something more prosaic like "you've just cost South Africa the match") but it's ingrained in cricket folklore now. Herschelle Gibbs famously dropped a simple chance when attempting to flick it up in celebration. Waugh, then on 56, went on to make an unbeaten 120 and guide Australia to the target of 272 in the final over.

1999 World Cup – semi-final

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Australia celebrates after Allan Donald forgot how to run // Getty Images

Shaun Pollock bowled impressively as South Africa, despite 50s from Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh, held Australia to 213. But with leg-spin great Shane Warne taking four wickets, Australia stayed in the match. But it seemed Lance Klusener was set to win it off his own bat, despite having just last man Allan Donald for company. With four balls left, they needed just one to win but, as Klusener set off for a single off a mishit, Donald stayed in his ground, dropped his bat and finally ran as a relay throw involving Mark Waugh and Damien Fleming led to the bowler underarming the ball to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist to complete a run-out. The match was tied but eventual champions Australia went into the final on superior net run-rate.

2003 World Cup – group stages

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Shaun Pollock is inconsolable after messing up his maths // Getty Images

Effectively a knock-out game against Sri Lanka, the rain again played a hand in South Africa's demise described as Kallis as "perhaps the worst of all" as Shaun Pollock got his Duckworth-Lewis calculations horribly wrong in Durban. With rain coming fast, the calculations came from the dressing room for Klusenar and Mark Boucher – 229 was needed by the end of the 45th over. Boucher, having hit Muralidaran for six to reach 229, celebrated then blocked the final ball of the 45th over and turned down a single as the heavens opened. As the rain tumbled, the Proteas jubilation turned to confusion and despair – 229 was the score for a tie, not a win. The tournament hosts were out.

2007 World Cup – semi-final

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The Aussies celebrate another McGrath wicket // Getty Images

In 2007 in a much-hyped Anzac Day semi-final the weight of expectation hung heavily on the South Africans' shoulders as they ran into a rampant Australia in St Lucia, blasted away by the pace of Shaun Tait and the nagging line and length of Glenn McGrath to be all out for 149. Michael Clarke's assured unbeaten 60 ensured Australia made light work of the chase.

2011 World Cup – quarter-final

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The Black Caps got into the head of Du Plessis // Getty Images

South Africa had bossed the group stages and entered the quarter-final heavily favoured over a Black Caps side that had just snuck into the final eight. Jesse Ryder hit 83 and the New Zealanders limped to a well below par 221. South Africa were cruising at 2-108 when Kallis was well caught by Jacob Oram on the fence.

When Faf du Plessis called de Villiers through for a suicide single and ran their star batsman out, the Kiwis climbed into the young Protea, surrounding him, impressing on him the enormity of what he'd done. South Africa couldn't handle it and crumbled, losing their last eight wickets for 64 and were bundled out by 49 runs.

2015 World Cup – semi-final

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Duminy, Berhardien almost collide in dropping a catch // Getty Images

South Africa reached 3-216 off 38 overs when rain stopped play and reduced the match to 43-overs a side. David Miller thrashed 49 from 18 balls as the Proteas added 65 in their final five overs and New Zealand were given a revised victory target of 298. Brendon McCullum continued his fearless blitzkrieg on the World Cup, blazing his way to 59 but his dismissal sparked a wobble and Martin Guptill was run out in a horrible mix-up with Ross Taylor. 

A stand of 103 between Corey Anderson and Grant Elliott swung the match back New Zealand's way before South Africa fought back with two quick wickets and the match was neck-and-neck heading into the final overs. With two balls left, New Zealand needed five to win. A nerveless Elliott sealed the win by smashing fast bowler Dale Steyn for six off the second-last delivery.