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When AB De Villiers Caused South Africa’s Biggest Heartbreak With A Missed Run-Out

Kaushik Kashyap

AB de Villiers run-out miss vs NZ. [Source - Altofleg/x.com]AB de Villiers run-out miss vs NZ. [Source - Altofleg/x.com]

It was supposed to be South Africa’s night in March 24th, 2015. An electric evening in Auckland, a city buzzing with anticipation, played host to one of the most emotionally charged semi-finals in Cricket World Cup history.

On the Brink of Glory, South Africa Fell Apart

South Africa, led by the genius AB de Villiers, were a team on the brink of rewriting their history, chasing their maiden World Cup final appearance. But what unfolded on in their Semi-Final clash against New Zealand, was a sporting tragedy that would go down as the Proteas’ biggest heartbreak ever.

South Africa had posted a challenging 281 in a rain-curtailed 43-over-a-side contest, translating into a stiff target of 298 via the D/L method. It was a fighting total, made possible by Faf du Plessis’ resilience, Rilee Rossouw’s strokeplay, and AB de Villiers’ blistering assault that reminded the world why he was the best in the game at the time. The momentum was with them.

AB’s Nightmare Moment That Ended South Africa’s Dream Run

Fast forward to the 32nd over of New Zealand’s chase. A moment that will forever be etched in South African sporting folklore, for all the wrong reasons. South Africa’s prolific pacer Dale Steyn bowled the third delivery of the over with Grant Elliott on strike, who pushed it towards point and Corey Anderson set off for a suicidal single but was sent back.

The throw came in sharply while Anderson was miles short. AB de Villiers, who made it to the non-striker’s end, failed to collect the ball cleanly and fumbled while trying to break the stumps. He lost his balance, and could not uproot the stump in time. The chance was gone. So was the match.

What followed was gut-wrenching. Anderson and Elliott went on to stitch a 103-run partnership, leaving New Zealand in a strong position. South Africa, already under immense pressure, crumbled under the weight of missed opportunities and nerves.

A Night of What-Ifs And Missed Chances for AB's South Africa

Had Anderson been dismissed then, the batting powerplay which was taken in the very next over by the Kiwis, might have been delayed. Momentum might have shifted. But that one miss was a massive turning point.

Later, with five needed from two balls, Elliott launched Steyn over long-on to seal an unforgettable win for the Kiwis. The Proteas’ players fell to the ground, tears rolling down their faces. Morne Morkel wept, and De Villiers stayed on one knee, watching their World Cup dream fall apart right in front of their eyes. 

It was not just a loss. It was a soul-crushing collapse of a dream that had once glowed so brightly. There were many near misses on the field that night for the Proteas. And at the center of it, the great AB de Villiers, the alien turned human, whose one run-out miss remains the face of South Africa’s eternal 2015 World Cup agony.