[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

The format of this World Cup has prompted much nostalgia for 1992, and few countries remember the '92 tournament as fondly as South Africa, for whom it was their maiden edition and a return to the international stage after the end of apartheid. (Just don't mention the words "22 runs off 1 ball".) The problem ever since has been underachievement, as South Africa have failed to ever reach the final despite fielding some strong teams, and only won a World Cup knockout game for the first time in 2015. Opinions are divided on whether the class of 2019 is one of the stronger or weaker squads put forward by the Proteas, and given their patchy ODI record (albeit with a good recent run of form), they've got a lot to prove and little time in which to do it.

AB de Villiers is a name of the past now, and the loss of their greatest World Cup run-scorer leaves a big hole in the batting line-up. The pressure will be on an ageing Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock to supply the bulk of the runs, but the latter showed tremendous form in the IPL and will welcome the challenge. The bowling attack has been weakened by injury, with Anrich Nortje ruled out and Chris Morris brought in as a replacement, but provided they remain fit, the likes of Rabada, Tahir and Duminy are proven wicket-takers on the biggest stage. They have the potential, but whether they have the confidence and psychology to match is a question mark.

Highest World Cup total: 411-4 vs Ireland (Canberra, 2015)
Lowest World Cup total: 149 vs Australia (Gros Islet, 2007)
Leading World Cup run-scorer: Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, 1207 runs
Leading World Cup wicket-taker: Allan Donald, 38 wickets


Tournament Schedule: England, Bangladesh, India, West Indies, Afghanistan, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia