The Proteas arrived in Ahmedabad yesterday ahead of their last round-robin game of the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

The Proteas will begin preparing for their game against Afghanistan today, and while they are already into the semi-finals, they want to start building on their momentum following the defeat to India on Sunday.

The defeat against the hosts was a setback in terms of halting their momentum, however, they will get a proper test from the Afghans who are experiencing their best World Cup.

A lot of the Proteas success can be attributed to the mood and attitude in the camp and there is just a new vibe that has been missing for many years.

Rob Walter - Morgan Piek

The destructive batter and wicketkeeper, Quinton de Kock, said as a team they are just enjoying their game under the guidance of Rob Walter.

“Rob has been great and I've absolutely loved playing under him,” said De Kock.

“He has really made this environment be fun and professional and in doing so he has just made us enjoy playing our cricket.

“He loves coaching the Proteas and representing South Africa - he is just passionate about South Africa as he was before he left for New Zealand.

“He's just great - he's got good values in life and these are all just the characteristics that Rob carries around that makes him a good coach.”

Friday’s game between the Proteas and the Afghans in Ahmedabad is set to get underway at 10:30.

Sybrand Engelbrecht - Crcinfo

Meanwhile, on Wedensday in Pune, the outgoing champions, England will be in action against the Netherlands.

The match is a dead rubber in terms of neither side having a chance of reaching the semi-finals.

For the Dutch the match is important because as an associate nation they now have a chance of qualifying for the Champions Trophy, and the assistant coach, Ruan van Niekerk, said this serves as motivation.

“I think if you look at it when we started the tournament the Champions Trophy wasn't even an option,” said Van Niekerk.

“I think the team has grown immensely over the last two years and coming into the environment, you almost feel like every game means a lot, irrespective of whether it's playing for Champions Trophy or playing for getting into a semi-final.

“I think every game is going to be important to us, no more important than the one coming up against England.

“I think going forward, the processes that have been put in place in this tournament with our group of players and our coaches has been absolutely phenomenal.”

Play in Pune gets underway on Wednesday morning at 10:30.

Glenn Maxwell - Cricinfo

In Tuesday’s game, the five-time champions, Australia, qualified for the semi-finals thanks to another freakish innings by Glenn Maxwell.

Australia were in deep trouble at 91/7 while chasing 292-runs for win, before Maxwell, who was suffering with severe cramp, blasted a mind blowing 201 not out off of 128-balls for a three wicket victory.

Speaking of Maxwell's super-human innings, the Australian captain Pat Cummins, said this is the best ODI innings of all-time.

“I think that's the greatest ODI innings,” said Cummins who was batting will Maxwell and has the best seat in the house.

“I mean I've ever seen it's probably the greatest ODI innings ever. We're just chatting about it, all the players and we’ve decided it's one of those days where you just go, I was there in the stadium the day Glenn Maxwell chased down that total by himself.

“I'm sure he’ll be fine. He was cramping but I think you saw out there how much he loves playing for Australia and do anything to play. So, I'm sure it'll be fine.”

Australia’s next match will be on Saturday against Bangladesh and a win can see them finish second on the table.

The win means that South Africa and Australia will go head-to-head in the semi-finals next week.

The last spot in the semi-finals will be a battle between New Zealand and Pakistan, while there is an outside chance that Afghanistan can make it.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport