South Africa players will be looking for inspiration from their rugby counterparts as they look to build on their record-breaking win over England at the Cricket World Cup.
The Proteas bounced from their shock loss to the Netherlands by inflicting a 229-run thrashing to the defending champions in Mumbai.
South Africa posted a mammoth score of 399-7 before decimating England's batting with swing and pace, dismissing them for just 170. The win improved South Africa's already impressive net run rate thanks to their batsmen wreaking havoc so far in India.
Hours after victory at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, South Africa's reigning rugby union world champion compatriots edged England 16-15 in a tense semi-final in Paris.
The Springboks will now face arch-rivals and fellow three-time world champions New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup final this Saturday.
"We're following the rugby as much as everyone else, to be honest," batsman Markram said on the eve of their match against Bangladesh in Mumbai.
"I suppose a lot of the hype is around them right now and rightly so. They're doing some special things once again as a team.
"It inspires us. We try to take motivation and inspiration from them. And certainly, their performance to get into another final provided us with an extra bit of oomph."
Another match in Mumbai means South Africa's players will need to survive the oppressive heat and humidity once again. After the win over England, centurion Heinrich Klaasen said temperatures of up to 36º Celsius made it feel as if he was "batting in a sauna".
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South Africa team members celebrate their win over England during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023. Getty -
Matthew Mott, England coach, and captain Jos Buttler look stoney-faced after losing to South Africa at Wankhede Stadium. Getty -
Gus Atkinson of England is bowled for 35 by Keshav Maharaj of South Africa. Getty -
England's Ben Stokes and Adil Rashid look dejected after the match. Reuters -
South Africa's Marco jumps to unsuccessfully take a catch at the boundary line off a shot from England's Gus Atkinson. AP -
South Africa's Lungi Ngidi celebrates the dismissal of England's David Willey. AP -
South Africa's Gerald Coetzee celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Harry Brook. AFP -
South Africa's Kagiso Rabada celebrates after taking the wicket of England's Ben Stokes. AFP -
Heinrich Klaasen of South Africa is bowled by Gus Atkinson. Getty -
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen, left, celebrates after scoring a century next to Marco Jansen. AFP -
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen plays a shot. AFP -
South Africa's Marco Jansen, left, plays a shot during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup match between England and South Africa. AP
"I do certainly think our previous game here was a bit of a rude awakening," said Markram, who is standing in as captain in place of Temba Bavuma who is ill.
"We always knew it was going to be hot and humid coming to India in general, and especially Mumbai and places like Chennai. But it was quite brutal the other night."
As for Bavuma, Markram said he was "definitely improving" but added no final call had been made on the skipper's availability to face the Tigers.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed has been ruled out of the match due to a shoulder injury. He had missed the previous game against India as well. However, star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan is likely to make a comeback from thigh injury if he proves his fitness.
If South Africa win on Tuesday, they will move to second spot on eights points alonsgide New Zealand but ahead on net run rate.
