World T20 guide: South Africa

2007: Group stage

2009: Semi-final (lost to Pakistan by seven runs)

2010: Group stage

2012: Group stage

2014: Semi-final (lost to India by six wickets)

Similar to their past performances in the 50-over World Cup, South Africa have been unable to fulfil their potential at the World T20 and have yet to make it to the final in five attempts. T20 giants India and Pakistan have been tough opponents to face in their only two semi-final appearances, while they've failed to make it out of the group stage on three occasions. The semi-final loss to Pakistan in 2009 is a hurtful memory for SA cricket fans, with the Proteas falling seven runs short on home soil. De Villiers, Steyn and Duminy were all members of that losing team and they will be looking to go at least one better this year.

Highest-ever run-scorer: JP Duminy, 1551 runs @ 37.28, SR: 122.31, HS: 96*

Highest-ever wicket-taker: Dale Steyn, 55 wickets @ 15.98, Econ: 6.45, BB: 4-9

Best-ever XI: Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy, Albie Morkel, Johan Botha, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, David Miller (12th man).

Recent form

Since the 2014 World T20: Played 14, won 9, lost 5

Mixing youth and experience, South Africa have had consistent success since the last World T20 in Bangladesh. They've faced Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh, New Zealand, India and England, winning nine of their 14 games and securing series wins against Bangladesh, England and India to climb to No.2 on the ICC rankings. Defeating India, the World T20 host nation, on their home soil late last year will give South African fans a lot of confidence coming into the tournament.

Squad

Faf du Plessis (c), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Chris Morris, Aaron Phangiso, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn, David Wiese.

Best XI

Quinton de Kock, AB de Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis (c), JP Duminy, David Miller, David Wiese, Chris Morris, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir.

Player to watch

Captain Faf du Plessis will likely come in at three for the Proteas, with experienced campaigners Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers expected to open the batting. In 30 T20I matches, the right-handed Du Plessis has seven half-centuries and a highest score of 119 to his name, boasting a strike-rate of 131.52. Currently No.3 in the ICC's T20 batting rankings, the skipper can boast plenty of experience in Indian conditions from his time playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, so expect him to be comfortable on the dry and slow decks. Be sure to look out for his footwork to the spinners or quicks at the death.   

Prediction

Pooled alongside Sri Lanka, England, the West Indies and a qualifier, the Proteas will be one of the favourites to win through to the semi-finals, at least based on their ranking of No.2 in the world. They will be high on confidence having beaten England in a two-match series earlier this month, while their current series against a full-strength Australia shapes as excellent preparation. Their final two matches of the group stage are against the Windies and Sri Lanka, both ranked in the top five in the world, so the Proteas will be looking for early wins to take the pressure off.