Cricket World Cup: South Africa coach proud of team's fight despite more semi-final heartbreak

Head coach Rob Walter lamented South Africa's start with both bat and ball but said he was proud of his team's fight in the Cricket World Cup semi-final defeat to Australia in Kolkata.

Defending a below-par total of 212, the Proteas bowlers fought tooth and nail until the end but Australia prevailed by three wickets with 16 balls to spare in what was a thrilling contest.

The Proteas were under pressure early after Temba Bavuma had won the toss and elected to bat first, slipping to 24-4 before a century from David Miller (101) put some respectability to the total.

Australia then got off to a fast start in the run-chase, with openers David Warner and especially Travis Head putting the bowlers under pressure in a stand of 60 in six overs.

It looked as though the contest would be done and dusted earliy but the Proteas then kept on taking wickets to put some nerves in the Aussie batting line-up.

Walter said after the game: "It's obviously gutting to lose a semi-final, but beyond that, I'm incredibly proud of the fight shown by the lads.

"The first 12 overs of batting this afternoon was a serious challenge, and ultimately, I think that’s what separated the game.

"And then again (when Australia batted) they got off to a flyer and we fought and we put ourselves back into the game – and of course we were 30 runs or 40 runs short… but for me there's nothing even remotely close to a choke that happened out there today.

"It was a serious contest between two good teams. The guys would obviously be gutted but as I said what can you do but do your best and leave everything on the park for your country? And I don't think anyone could question that today."

It was yet another semi-final defeat in an ICC global tournament for the Proteas but Walter is confident South Africa have players that will contribute to success in the future.

Quinton de Kock played his final ODI in the last-four clash while others will not be around come the next 50-over World Cup set to be hosted in South Africa in 2027.

The younger players in the current squad such as Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee were top performers in India and gives a glimpse into the Proteas' future.

Walter added: "We've seen guys play unbelievable cricket, probably surprised a lot of people in this room and around the world. I think that is what fuels them to come back and be better.

"Personally, I'm excited. I think there's a huge scope for us to grow as a team. I think there's a huge scope for us to play even better than we have.

"And the majority of the people that are going to be on their journey are still in that changing room."

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