By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa ready to square off against hosts India in a Super Eight game in Ahmedabad at the T20 World Cup (3.30pm start).
It is a repeat of the T20 World Cup final in Barbados two years ago, which India won by seven runs.
The two unbeaten teams are familiar foes and both came through their groups with perfect four-out-of-four records.
South Africa toured India late last year, losing 3-1 in a T20I series.
Speaking during the press conference ahead of the clash against India, Proteas top-order batter Quinton de Kock said, “I think that’s what’s going to make for quite a good game because we’ve played against each other quite a bit over the last two months,”
De Kock said, “And to be honest, the teams haven’t really changed much.
“So, I think it’s more when you’re out there on the pressure side, who deals with the pressure better and wins the small moments in the game.”
While South Africa looked strong in all departments in the group phase, the batting of defending champions India has been inconsistent.
He said there were no favourites in the T20 format.
“I think the nature of World Cups, that it doesn’t allow favouritism. “At any moment, someone can win in a game out of nowhere. So that’s the thing, it’s quite a fickle game, World Cups, especially T20 World Cups.
Proteas have won all three of their group-stage matches held at the same venue in Ahmedabad, which, according to de Kock, has helped the team become familiar with the conditions.