USA vs South Africa predictions: States can make Proteas toil
- The United States beat Canada and Pakistan to qualify
- South Africa topped Group D with four wins out of four
- Recommended bet: Saurabh Netravalkar USA Top Wicket Taker
United States have exceeded expectations by getting the better of Pakistan for second spot in Group A, but now comes a real step up in class as they begin the Super 8s against South Africa in Antigua.
The Americans were not expected to get this far but having beaten Pakistan and given India a game, they have to be confident taking on a South African side who have yet to fire.
Team news
The US are hoping skipper Monank Patel is fit after a shoulder injury ruled him out of the loss to India. Aaron Jones will wear the armband if Patel is ruled out.
South African big guns Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram have all flopped so far but are unlikely to be broken up.
The stats
This is the first meeting between the USA and South Africa.
Not a single South Africa batsman has a strike rate in excess of 100 at this tournament, while seven Americans have 100-plus strike rates.
South Africa have won all four games but have not scored more than 115 in any of their innings so far.
Prediction
At odds of 21/4 with LiveScore Bet to win on Wednesday the layers reckon the United States' dream run at the T20 World Cup is coming to an end — though they have been proved wrong before.
The United States are massive underdogs against the 1/9 South Africans in the opening Super 8s Group 2 fixture at North Sound in Antigua.
And it would surely be a concern for Americans, their backers and many neutrals that South Africa have not even got out of first gear yet but have made it this far by winning all four of their fixtures.
But memories of the US's remarkable win over Pakistan in their Group A clash in Dallas is a reminder of what the tournament co-hosts are capable of and there should be no complacency from the Proteas.
South Africa went into this tournament with one of the most feared pace attacks in the game and one of the most destructive batting line-ups. While Anrich Nortje and his colleagues have delivered with the ball, Quinton de Kock and his fellow sluggers at the top of the order have flopped.
They have twice batted first but not scored more than 115 and they had difficulty ticking off the 104 set for them by Netherlands.
Three of their matches were at the Nassau Stadium in New York where the wicket was arguably not fit for purpose, so they can be forgiven for struggling on a ground where all teams toiled.
They look vulnerable to the swinging ball and Saurab Netravalkhar, the US's left-arm paceman, has looked dangerous with the new ball and can do so again.
He has taken four wickets in this tournament, those of Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, a fine collection of victims.
He is a threat to a top order which is short of runs and confidence and is well worth backing to be his side's top wicket taker.
