Proteas captain Faf du Plessis still harbours hope that his side can beat the odds and the weather at the 2019 World Cup.

PREDICTING: Our team on the result vs Afghanistan 

Rain has threatened to end the South Africans’ pursuit of a semi-final place although maths and form are another two factors capable of doing the trick.

READ: Ngidi out of Proteas’ next clash 

Winless through three matches, their fixture against the West Indies was abandoned due to the inclement weather in the UK. A number of matches have failed to find lift-off with Saturday’s outing against Afghanistan in jeopardy.

Besides the rain, form and injuries have played a part in struggles faced by Du Plessis’ side.

‘Everyone has written this team off. We have our backs against the wall as a team,’ the captain told media ahead of the must-win clash at Sophia Gardens.

‘Hopefully that allows the guys to come out and play the way they want to play and the way they can play. I truly believe that if we do that and play our style of cricket, we will be a very dangerous team.

‘We just haven’t fully unlocked the potential that we do have in our side.’

SA face Afghanistan on Saturday in Cardiff at 14:30 SA time.