The side won the final three games of the series against Australia to win the series 3-2.

While history warns them against getting carried away, it’s tantalizing to imagine that the Proteas can finally fulfill their destiny this time around.

David Miller, the powerful middle-order batter and a senior figure in the team, says, “We really believe we can do something special.”

We haven’t won a World Cup, so there’s no point in ignoring that.

The past is the past. It doesn’t affect me at all. It’s about what’s in front of you…the next ball, the next moment.

“I know the other guys are thinking the same way. We’re looking at it as an opportunity to create history. It’s a fantastic opportunity. If we play well, we know we’ve got a great chance.”

Based on the ICC’s metrics, South Africa are ranked fourth, but have five batters in the top 15.

The only other team has more than three in this elite group, and Miller ranks 15th on that list.

Miller says, “We have consistently performed well over the past four years.”

Yes, they have. Only six batters have scored over 1,000 runs at a strike rate above 100 since the last World Cup. Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, and Aiden Markram are South Africans.