White-ball coach Rob Walter believes the Proteas will only lose their “chokers” tag when they win a World Cup.

South Africa made history at the recent T20 World Cup by reaching the final, but suffered a seven-run defeat to India after they’d needed 30 runs from 30 balls with six wickets in hand.

The Proteas’ only ICC title remains the 1998 Champions Trophy (then known as the Wills International Cup).

“It’s not something we discuss in the changing room, but I still believe that South Africa will have to win the World Cup for everyone to stop talking about choking,” Walter said at CSA’s headquarters in Melrose Estate on Thursday.

“I haven’t seen it yet in this team and I’ve seen us win big moments in this World Cup and the previous World Cup and we’ll continue to do so.

“Sport is sport, and there will be those moments when we don’t succeed in those moments where the decision-making goes in a different way.

“Unfortunately, it seems like that tag will follow us until the trophy is lifted.”

Walter said the team took some consolation from the fact that they had been part of a memorable match in Barbados.

“You could tell from the emotions of the players on the field that we were part of a great spectacle in the final.

“The level of skill was awesome throughout and to lose that way always hurts. When margins are small, you’re always reflecting on what might have been.

“There’s no disgrace in seeing some great skill from Jasprit Bumrah in particular, who I felt was incredible at the back end of the game. He really slowed things down.

“It’s small consolation, I guess.”