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South Africa vs Afghanistan betting tips:
- Quinton de Kock to score 100 runs or more – 4/1 Betway
- Hashmatullah Shahidi to score 30 runs or more – 11/10 bet365
- Kagiso Rabada to take over 1.5 wickets – 4/7 Unibet
South Africa and Afghanistan enter their ICC Cricket World Cup clash off the back of humbling defeats, with the latter still desperately chasing a place in the knockout stage.
South Africa were crushed at the hands of India in what was billed as a preview of the final.
The hosts put a competitive total on the board of 326, but the Proteas never came close to chasing it down as they were skittled for only 83 with Ravindra Jadeja claiming five wickets.
Temba Bavuma and his team need to go back to the drawing board to rebuild their confidence ahead of the semi-finals, although a plucky Afghanistan team will pose problems.
Afghanistan were seemingly on course for a famous win over Australia last time out. They reduced the Aussies to 91 for seven after scoring 291 from their 50 overs.
But, Glenn Maxwell played one of the great ODI innings of all time to steer Australia to a famous win, notching an incredible double century.
Hashmatullah Shahidi's team have to respond to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive, and a win over the Proteas might be enough to secure a last four berth for the first time.
South Africa are the favourites to triumph in the Cricket World Cup odds, but we’ve looked at the key players in both teams for our predictions to see how the game could turn out.
Another De Kock century?
Quinton de Kock has either scored a century at the World Cup or failed to pass 25 in his eight matches.
De Kock has been nothing short of outstanding at the crease and is leading the run chart at the tournament after notching four hundreds, posting a top score of 174 against Bangladesh.
The 30-year-old is the second favourite with UK bookmakers to finish the World Cup as the leading run scorer, and he may need one more substantial knock to edge himself in front of Virat Kohli.
The left-hander has experienced the true highs and lows of opening the innings.
Against India, he was powerless to prevent his team from slumping to a heavy defeat. De Kock chopped onto his own stumps from a Mohammed Siraj delivery to spark the South Africa collapse.
Encouragingly for the Proteas, the 30-year-old has responded from his previous disappointments at the tournament, scoring centuries after failing against England and Pakistan.
He scored 68 in his only other innings when facing Afghanistan at the 2019 World Cup, and we’re backing him to be in the runs again with a fifth century at odds of 4/1 with Betway.
Tip: Quinton de Kock to score 100 runs or more – 4/1 Betway
Shahidi to lead the response?
Shahidi could only watch Maxwell lead Australia to an incredible victory in their clash in Mumbai. Maxwell produced one of the all-time great knocks to overcome Afghanistan after Shahidi’s team had put themselves in a match-winning position.
Afghanistan reduced Australia to 91 for seven, but failed to take their chances and were duly punished by Maxwell. Although the defeat was crushing for Afghanistan, they can take a lot of heart from the fact it took such a special innings to defeat them.
But, the question is how will that loss affect them going forward? Afghanistan could well have sealed a place in the knockout phase had they defeated Australia and it could wear on them emotionally against the Proteas.
As captain Shahidi needs to stand up and lead the way for his team with the bat and in the field.
His performances with the bat have been impressive, scoring 308 runs at an average of 61.80 with three half-centuries.
The 29-year-old produced a knock of 80 against India, proving that he is capable of mustering runs against quality opponents.
We’re backing him to a score 30 runs or more in the clash with the Proteas at 11/10 at bet365.
Tip: Hashmatullah Shahidi to score 30 runs or more – 11/10 bet365
Rabada to find form ahead of semis
Kagiso Rabada has been a quietly solid performer for South Africa at the tournament. He has taken 12 wickets at an average of 23.58 but has lacked the decisive impact of Marco Jansen with the new ball.
Rabada highlighted his value to the team by removing Rohit Sharma against India after his blistering start.
Although he only picked up one wicket against the hosts, Rabada offered control by going for only 4.80 runs an over compared to Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, who were blasted around the park.
South Africa would like to see their primary seam bowler find his peak form ahead of the knockout phase.
At his best, Rabada can tear apart any batting line-up in the game and he could have the chance to expose an Afghanistan side that might remain shell-shocked by Maxwell’s exploits.
We’re backing him to take over 1.5 wickets at odds of 4/7 with Unibet.
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Last Updated: 14th March 2024, 07:22 AM
