South Africa face must-win Kiwi clash

Quinton De Kock has billed South Africa’s clash against New Zealand at Edgbaston today as a World Cup quarter-final.

Although the tournament has only just reached its halfway stage, the Proteas are lurching towards elimination. A nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in Cardiff last Saturday was their first in the competition at the fifth attempt.

They cannot afford any slip-ups in their remaining four games against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia to maintain distant hopes of a last-four spot.

Wicketkeeper-batsman De Kock said: “They are all going to be big games for us for the rest of the tournament.

“We’re just going to have to go out there, keep our heads steady and play freely. Tomorrow is a quarterfinal, I guess you could say it. We have to win all the games, not just focus on tomorrow. But in saying that, we know how good New Zealand are playing at the moment. They are a big team in World Cups.”

Unbeaten New Zealand will go top of the standings if they defeat the Proteas but Black Caps seamer Trent Boult accepts they will face a South Africa side who can’t afford a slip-up.

He said: “It’s a must-win in their tournament but we’ve been playing some good cricket.

“There have always been exciting games between New Zealand and South Africa in World Cups. The last time we met each other in 2015 – the semi-final at Eden Park (New Zealand won by four wickets) – was one of the greatest games the Kiwis have played.”