South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said on Wednesday that his Proteas side will take inspiration from the Springboks' triumphant Rugby World Cup campaign when they take on Australia in the second semi-final of Cricket's 50-over equivalent in Kolkata on Thursday.
"I think to a large degree we look at them in awe," he said. "The way they won it this year, how that resilience, how that 'do or die' attitude came through. That's what we've been speaking about as a team that when the crunch moment comes, when the pressure moments come, we come together as a team and we find a way to get over the line. We want to be there on the 19th of November, but for us to do that we have got to focus and deal with tomorrow as best as we can."
South Africa beat the Aussies by a comfortable 134-run margin in the group phase of the competition and have won the last four 50-over matches between the two sides, but Bavuma is not taking anything for granted.
"We're not coming up against a 'Mickey Mouse' team," he said. "Australia have a lot of experience and confidence in knockout games like this, so we've got to respect that. But I think from our performances, from the processes that we've followed to get to this point, we'll continue to lean on that and we believe that will take care of the result in itself."
Bavuma himself has been struggling with a hamstring injury, but thinks he'll be able to line up with his teammates come game time and put in a performance for his country.
"Physically I feel alright. Obviously not 100 per cent," he said. "I'm quite confident, but I mean, it's not a unilateral decision that will be made. In a state of mind, obviously a bit nervous of the game. It will be our first semi-final and as a team. But I think the feeling is no different I guess from any game that we've encountered within the World Cup."
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