South Africa lost their fifth Cricket World Cup semi-final Thursday, going down by three wickets to five-time champions Australia in Kolkata.
We look at those five losses:
1992: Mission impossible
South Africa, playing in their first World Cup following the end of the apartheid era, restricted England to 252/6 in 45 overs in the semi-final in Sydney before the rain washed away the dreams - and there was nothing they could do about it.
1999: Choke's on us
Set a target of 214 to defeat Australia in the semi-final at Edgbaston, the Proteas needed nine runs off the last over. Lance Klusener smashed fours off the first two balls to tie the scores. However, disaster struck on the fourth ball of Damien Fleming's over when Klusener set off for a single which left Allan Donald stranded and run out. Australia made the final courtesy of their better finish in the group stage.
2007: Caribbean collapse
Semi-final No 3 came in the Caribbean at picturesque Gros Islet at Saint Lucia and South Africa's opponents were again Australia. Like Thursday, the Proteas won the toss and chose to bat but lost their top four batsmen for 27 including skipper Graeme Smith for two. South Africa's innings folded for 149 and they went on to lose the match by seven wickets.
2015: Agony in Eden
Another semi-final and more rain. This time the venue was Eden Park in Auckland where South Africa made 281/5 in 43 overs. New Zealand were handed a revised target of 298 and the Black Caps came through by four wickets with just one ball remaining when South African-born Elliott hit Dale Steyn for six.
2023: Head's a heartbreaker
Australia beat South Africa again, this time by three wickets in a tense chase of 213 in Kolkata to set up a final against India. Australia wobbled after Travis Head's 62 but Steve Smith (30) and Josh Inglis (28) helped the five-time champions reach their target with 16 balls to spare and make their eighth final.
