south africa report card

AB de Villiers - good time at the World Cup.

In the wake of their semi-final defeat at the hands of the Aussies, we rate and slate the South Africa World Cup squad.

Herschelle Gibbs

Notched up four half-tons, at least two of which should have been converted. Called on the South Africa middle-order midway through the World Cup to produce more runs, sort of failing to lead by example. Became the first man in the history of the one-day game to smash six sixes in an over... against hapless Holland. He blew hot, but not hot enough to take his team all the way. Rating: 6

Graeme Smith

His belligerence at the top of the order was entertaining. Led from the front on most occasions but as with Gibbs, really should have turned a couple of his five half-tons into centuries. Cramped up in his nation's group stage match against Oz, signalling the downward spiral to eventual loss. The Proteas needed a biggie from him in the semi but he could not produce. Oh well, he gave his doubters a good slap in the face and though taunts of 'choker' will ring out for weeks to come, Smith can hold his head high on the plane trip home and beyond. Those part-time spinners of his proved a goodie too. 8

AB de Villiers

Was all over the place in consistency but when he came good he came really good. One ton and two half-centuries coupled with four ducks just about says it all. His 90-odd against the Aussies in the group stages and his 'one-legged' century against the Windies in the Super Eights were simply marvellous. A strike-rate a touch over 100 and the perfect foil to opening partner Smith. 8

Justin Kemp

Kemp's glory days are over. Well, they've certainly gone on the quiet. He toddles in for a couple of overs here and there and will never bowl his full 10. Coming in with four or five down, he's expected to blast the cover off the ball. He doesn't. A dogged unbeaten 49 against Oz in the semis bolstered his World Cup stats to a large degree. Not worth a place in the final XI - Bosman a better bet. 4

Jacques Kallis

Copped a lot of flak for batting too slowly at the beginning of the tournament but that was rather unjustified. With Gibbs, de Villiers and Smith wielding the willow around him it was okay for the Proteas' number three to take his time about things. Finished top SA run-scorer with 485 including a ton and three 50s at the not-too-bad strike-rate of 83.91. Did a decent job with the ball but his country would have expected greater things from their premier all-rounder. 8

Andre Nel

Nel is so up and down in his performances and thankfully for SA he was on a bit of an upper in the World Cup. Bowled with great gusto and of course, in true Nel style, coupled his bowling with words of supposed intimidation. Bagged a five-fer in a losing effort to Bangladesh, back in the day five wickets against the subcontinental minnows was nothing to write home about, these days it's certainly worth a mention. 7

Andrew Hall

The unlikely hero, the go-to man, the surprise package of the World Cup that is Mr Andrew James Hall. Ripped through England in their do-or-die Super Eight clash, finishing with five prized scalps at the cost of just 18 runs. Erred with the bat a bit but lately he is picked more as a bowler than an all-rounder. 9

Ashwell Prince

Six stints out in the middle and not a 50 to show for it. A strike-rate of less than 80 and a good few ill-disciplined strokes. As is the case with Kemp's spot in the final XI, Bosman could have done a better job than the slow-to-get-going Prince. Outstanding in the field, but that counts for squat when you ain't producing the runs. Stick to the Test arena Ash. 3

Shaun Pollock

Got off to a really poor start, getting belted all corners of the park. Murmurs of his place in the side being in jeopardy were quickly put to sleep with a string of tidy figures in the latter part of the group stages and then into the Super Eights. Never took more than two wickets in an innings but pitched it on a dime more often than not. Didn't get much opportunity with the bat, but did manage a couple of smallish run-a-ball knocks - handy. In all likelihood his last World Cup... surely, and though not spectacular, way more than useful. 7

Makhaya Ntini

Really disappointing World Cup. So much rode on the opening-bowling combination of Ntini and Pollock but the former fell severely flat and had to leave the job to Pollock, Nel and Langeveldt in the end. Took six wickets in seven matches and bowled a really predictable line for the most part. All of the tracks SA played on, bar the bouncy Barbados, were not suitable to the unsurprising plan of attack from Ntini and eventually the star speedster got the chop, two games from the end of the Proteas' World Cup campaign. 5

Charl Langeveldt

Came to the party nicely in the absence of Ntini's form. A tidy five-fer against the Lankans and nine other wickets left him joint wicket-taker with Hall (14). Slightly on the expensive side but that doesn't really matter if you're taking the wickets, ask Aussie loose cannon Shaun Tait. 7

Mark Boucher

Thrived with the bat in the lower-order and belted two quickfire 50s. Finished the tourney with a mammoth strike-rate of 137.20 and 11 sixes to his name (second only to Gibbs - 14). Tidy glove-work standing up to Pollock, Hall and the like. A man for the occasion - Alas, not in the semi thanks to a first-ball quacker at the hands of Glenn McGrath. 6

Loots Bosman

Must have licked his lips in anticipation when given the nod for the clash against the Windies. Alas, he didn't get a chance to bat as de Villiers and the top-order did the job just fine. One catch in that match and a whole bunch of stints as 12th man is nowhere near the stuff he would have hoped for from his time on the islands. 2

Robin Peterson

South Africa played 10 matches at the World Cup; their first choice spinner was selected for all of two of those games. Smith fancied himself a better option with the ball and bowled more than double the overs Peterson did. Smith bagged four wickets, Peterson one. It was evident from the get-go that spin was not going to feature much in the SA plans, so why did Peterson even go. Not very good to start with, not really availed the opportunity to show his mettle and better left at home. 3

Roger Telemachus

Two months in the Caribbean and not a game to show for it. Reduced to net bowler and drinks carrier for the duration of the tour and now the South African selectors are left scratching their heads as to why they selected him in the first place. Oh yes, that's why... just in case of *insert unlikely circumstance here*. n/a

Jonhenry Wilson