Power-packed SA rout Black Caps

SINCE 1999, cricket and rugby World Cups have been organised in the same year. Which means the nations that fall in the Venn diagram of Rugby and Cricket, like Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, have been through an emotional turmoil twice a year every four years.

- KALYANI MANGALE

Incidentally, one of these four countries has lifted the Webb Ellis Cup since 1999. However, the same thing cannot be said for the Cricket World Cup. For South Africa and New Zealand especially, the cricketing Gods have not been that kind.

When it comes to these two sides facing each other, it has been a one-sided contest since the Proteas won the fixture in 1999. So, when South Africa finally got the opportunity to put an end to that WC streak of New Zealand against them, they took it with both hands beating them by 190 runs. It started with New Zealand winning the toss because it put Tom Latham in a tricky situation if they bat first, the Kiwis don't get to make most of the pitch that gets easier to bat under the lights. Such has been the batting form of the South African top-order that inviting them to bat first was like inviting a monster attack.