Faf du Plessis admitted South Africa’s limp World Cup exit was embarrassing as the furious captain branded his under-performing team “mediocre” and challenged them to take responsibility for their disastrous showing.
The Proteas cannot qualify for the semi-finals after slumping to a 49-run defeat against fellow strugglers Pakistan at Lord’s on Sunday.
With two games to play, South Africa have failed to make the knockout stages for only the second time.
The tame manner of their elimination was tough for Du Plessis to swallow as he watched his side struggle to 259-9 in response to Pakistan’s 308-7.
“The results we are dishing out at the moment, it’s tough. The way we played today is borderline embarrassing,” Du Plessis said.
“It started with our bowling. There were a lot of bad balls on a wicket where if you just bowled line and length it was going to be hard for them. “It was a five out of 10 performance with the ball, then the same batting. We started nicely, got a partnership going, then wickets fall.
“We are a mediocre team at the moment because we are making the same mistakes. One step forward and two steps back is not a good team.”
Du Plessis said his players were suffering from a chronic lack of confidence.
The skipper top-scored for his team on Sunday with 63, but received little support as the Proteas played too cautiously, then threw their wickets away in a desperate bid to get back into the match. “The guys are playing with low confidence and making the same mistakes. It just rolls on, it’s such a snowball effect,” he said.
“The real, honest answer is it chips away at you. You try really hard, then come back the next game and make the same mistakes. It chips away at your confidence and your ego as a player.”
Frustrated that South Africa, defeated in five of their seven World Cup matches, have only beaten minnows Afghanistan in the tournament, Du Plessis demanded his players show more desire to sort out their problems.
