In the wake of a challenging match against India in the World Cup, we had the opportunity to sit down with Rob Walter, the coach of the South African Cricket Team. He shared his thoughts on what went wrong, the team’s mindset, and how they plan to bounce back from the defeat.

Reporter: Obviously, things went wrong out there, but why did they go wrong?

Rob Walter: Good question and an understatement altogether. To be fair, just a day that we were out-skilled really. I didn’t feel that was a 320 pitch. They obviously got off to a flyer, and we pulled it back nicely. I thought Keshav bowled beautifully today along with KG. And yeah, 320 was too much on that deck, and then from a bowling point of view, they put us under pressure right from the word go. Couldn’t claw our way back in, and as I said, just got out-skilled on the day.

Reporter: I just wondered about the nerves that appeared to be on display at the start of the match. There was a lot of talk from three or four of the players before the game about it just being another game of cricket, which evidently it wasn’t going to be. How do you address that?

Rob Walter: To be dead honest, I mean, in the lead-up to the game as well as just before the game, I didn’t have a sense of the guys being overawed or nervous by the situation. I genuinely felt that the players were excited by the occasion. I mean, I can’t speak for them individually, but I didn’t get a sense of a huge amount of nerves prior to the game. That said, our execution probably let us down more than anything else and put us on the back foot.

Reporter: If you were to meet this Indian team again, do you have a sense that there are areas that you can target them or do they feel a bit unbeatable at the moment?

Rob Walter: They’re a hell of a team. Very well balanced and highly skilled. On a day, if you execute your skills, you’ve got a chance. The beauty of cricket is that it can surprise you every single day. So, it wouldn’t surprise me if the tables turned the next time around. We’ve been given an opportunity to learn from this experience.

Reporter: Is there any room to say that maybe things aren’t so bad because you were completely outclassed by a vastly superior team?

Rob Walter: No, I mean, the scoreboard will tell you everything you need to know. India was far superior to us today. Just like we’ve played in this tournament, we’ve been far superior to other teams. Once you get your nose in front in international cricket, anyone can beat anyone. Today, India got their nose in front, and we weren’t able to get back into the game.

Reporter: Just on Marco, he’s had such a good run so far, but today was a tough lesson for him. How will you handle him after this?

Rob Walter: It’s a gift, being able to play in such an intense match. He’s got the skill set to bounce back and be effective the next time around. What he has now is invaluable experience, and you can’t get that anywhere else but here.

Reporter: Do you think that perhaps it did weigh on the guys’ minds that the semi-final is secured now?

Rob Walter: I think the guys are highly disappointed that we weren’t able to showcase our skills on this awesome occasion. As for the next four days, it’s about preparing for the next fixture and the semi-final. Nothing changes there.

Reporter: Do you think that the pitch is the key factor that the batting strength of South Africa succumbed to the spin attack of the Indian squad?

Rob Walter: Blaming the pitch would be unfair. India was excellent, and our execution was off. I wouldn’t blame the pitch for that.

Reporter: What was it in those first 10 overs that made the difference?

Rob Walter: Our execution was off, and facing a batsman like Rohit Sharma, you’re going to pay for it. We fell behind the eight-ball early, but we managed to claw back, and Keshav and KG were outstanding.

In the face of adversity, Rob Walter and the South African Cricket Team remain resilient, recognizing that each match offers lessons and opportunities for growth. Their determination to learn from their experiences and continue showcasing their skills makes them a team to watch in the upcoming games.