South Africa's cricket team faces ongoing challenges in finally clinching an ICC World Cup victory despite their strong on-paper squad, featuring serious pace, skilled batters, and athletic fielders. Their recent knockout defeats in 2023 and 2024 highlight the need for mental resilience and confidence. Experts suggest that South Africa must accept their past failures, treat pressure as noise, and focus on simple, consistent performance to improve their chances of winning. Meanwhile, in their World Cup opener in Ahmedabad, South Africa relied on a pace-heavy attack with bowlers like Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, while their batting lineup included Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. Canada, led by first-time captain Dilpreet Bajwa, is seen as a significant underdog but has shown resilience, with close matches in recent tournaments indicating the growing competitiveness of associate nations. Markram emphasized the importance of focusing on their skills and executing well, acknowledging the unpredictability of the tournament where even smaller teams can cause upsets. The vast Ahmedabad stadium, with a capacity of over 132,000, may appear empty but presents a unique challenge for players to create intensity without a traditional atmosphere. Historically, South Africa defeated Canada in the 2003 World Cup, but the modern game and venue dynamics have changed considerably. Experts note that upsets are more common now, with teams like Pakistan, Scotland, and Nepal demonstrating their growing prowess. Overall, South Africa must overcome psychological barriers and maintain focus, while smaller nations continue to challenge traditional cricket powerhouses, making this World Cup unpredictable and exciting.