“I started weeping in dressing room, just couldn’t stop crying” – Faf du Plessis remembers ‘shattering’ World Cup semi-final loss against New Zealand.
The 2015 World Cup semi-final clash between South Africa and New Zealand left a lasting impact on cricket enthusiasts, who witnessed the heart-wrenching defeat of the Proteas. The poignant image of South African players shedding tears on the field remains etched in the memories of those who watched that game. Faf du Plessis, a crucial member of the South African squad during that tournament, has provided some valuable insights into the emotional turmoil that enveloped the dressing room following that devastating loss.
Du Plessis, in his reflection on that fateful moment, described it as an unprecedented occurrence in his cricketing journey. He emphasized that he had never experienced a more despondent atmosphere in the team’s dressing room. He also highlighted the critical role played by the weather in the outcome of the match, noting that rain had significantly disrupted the game. Importantly, due to the rain interruptions, New Zealand’s primary bowlers had exhausted their allocated overs, which had a significant impact on the match’s dynamics. The Proteas had been in the process of defending a target of 400, and the rain-shortened game provided an opportunity for Brendon McCullum and his team to unleash their batting prowess.Faf du Plessis explained during a pre-match show on Star Sports, “When we were batting first and the rain comes, what people forget to mention is that all their front-line bowlers were finished, and we were definitely looking for 400. A shortened game brings someone like Brendon McCullum into the game and allows for a great start. We had one or two chances, so it wasn’t all due to bad luck.”
He went on to share his vivid memory of the aftermath of that game, stating, “But, after that game, ‘oh my word!,’ I have never seen a change room so shattered. The last time I cried this much was when I saw The Lion King as a youngster. After that day, I sat and started weeping in the dressing room, and I just couldn’t stop crying. I looked around and saw 8-9 guys who were absolutely broken. It was the best and worst game of cricket that I have ever been a part of, given everything that happened.”