London: South Africa will look to shed their big tournament 'chokers' tag that has haunted them for long as they go into the first semi-final of the ICC Champions Trophy against strong contenders England here on Wednesday in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
England topped Group A and will play South Africa in the last-four stage after Sri Lanka knocked holders Australia out of the tournament with a 20-run win at The Oval last night. Sri Lanka, who finished second in Group A, will take on reigning world champions and Group B toppers India in the second semi-final at Cardiff on Thursday.
South Africa advanced to the semi-finals on superior net run-rate after their rain-marred last Group B match against the West Indies in Cardiff ended in a tie. For South Africa -- often dubbed 'chokers' for losing from promising positions -- their only ICC trophy came way back in 1998 when they won the inaugural edition of the Champions Trophy, then known as ICC Knock-Out Trophy, in Bangladesh.
Thereafter, the Proteas failed to advance beyond the semi-final stages of major tournaments despite having strong outfits. But come Wednesday, the AB de Villiers-led side would be hoping to turn the tide. South Africa witnessed a mixed outing in the group stage of the tournament. They lost their opening game to India before getting the better of Pakistan, while their last game against the West Indies ended in a tie....
12:53 PM, Jun 18, 2013
South Africa entered the series with a focus on finding the right combinations to lift them from a worrisome period in limited-overs cricket and produced a comprehensive performance in Bloemfontein to crush Pakistan by 125 runs. ... 
Colin Ingram smashed an unbeaten century and seamer Rory Kleinveldt took 4 for 22 as South Africa defeated Pakistan by 125 runs in the 1st ODI. ... 
