Cricket World Cup 2015: 5 Reasons to Believe South Africa Will Win

The Cricket World Cup is now just over a week away and everyone can finally stop pretending to care about bilateral ODI series.

This is as big as it gets. South Africa are one of the favourites to win this year’s World Cup but considering their record in knockout matches, can they really do it?

For the optimistic fans, there are many reasons to believe that their team can finally do it. We’ve picked five.

Feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section.

South Africa are not taking a psychologist with them to this year’s World Cup.

Considering their mental stumbling blocks in previous editions, this might seem like a strange choice for many. However, Russell Domingo’s reasoning was simple.

South Africa have not travelled with a psychologist for more than a year. Why overcomplicate things now?

Yes, they have had issues in the past, but they are trying to move on. Approaching this as if it’s just a normal series is one of the key ways in overcoming some of their struggles. 

Fresh off scoring a record-breaking 100 in one-day cricket, AB de Villiers is ready to take on the world and make everyone feel inadequate about their existence.

There is no better batsman in world cricket at the moment. His ability to adapt to different conditions is unmatched. The fact that he can almost single-handedly win a match is something South Africa will be most grateful for. 

Speaking of match-winners, Dale Steyn is pretty good, too.

Now that he’s received bowling advice from a wide-eyed youngster (see the video above), Steyn is raring to go.

Beyond that, Hashim Amla’s current batting form (an average of over 200 in four matches against the West Indies) and Imran Tahir’s crafty spin are exceptional in the limited-overs format.

All the big-name players are booming with confidence after hitting good form against the Windies. 

In recent months, South Africa have won in Sri Lanka, beaten Australia in a tri-series final, won a series in New Zealand and thrashed the West Indies at home.

They are one of the most in-form teams, if not the most in-form team, heading into the tournament.

South Africa might not be taking a psychologist with them to Australia, but they are consulting with a number of people.

In an attempt to sort out the death bowling catastrophe, they have brought Charl Langeveldt on board. They have also roped in Mike Hussey to help as a batting consultant.

Coach Russell Domingo has made it clear that Hussey will be “very much in the background,” but two heads are better than one.

Drawing inspiration and knowledge from as many sources as possible ahead of such a big tournament can make a massive difference. The insider knowledge of Australian conditions that Hussey will offer is invaluable. 

All quotes and information obtained firsthand.