South Africa crushed Sri Lanka in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 Quarter-Final to break their dubious long-standing record of never having won a World Cup knockout match. Imran Tahir and JP Duminy snared seven wickets between them — which included a hat-trick from Duminy — as South Africa were left with just 134 to chase.

Sri Lanka managed to take the wicket of Hashim Amla, but with 40 already on the board it was too little too late. Quinton de Kock chose the perfect opportunity to get back into form, scoring a breakneck 50 off 39 balls to ensure that South Africa sailed through to the semi-final. Along with Faf du Plessis, de Kock knocked off the remaining runs with consummate ease. Sri Lankan ‘mystery spinner’ Tharindu Kaushal bowled well but did not ask any pertinent questions, while the rest of the bowling seemed too downcast to put in an extra effort.

With this win, South Africa have finally shooed the World Cup monkey off their back. The other teams ought to be extremely wary of the Proteas now. That South Africa have been perpetual favourites was never in question; it was only their temperament that was in doubt. Their win today (Wednesday) will put paid to all that.

Earlier, led by Duminy’s maiden hat-trick — the first by a South African in World Cups — the Proteas routed Sri Lanka for a paltry 133. Kumar Sangakkara battled through but a prospect of a fifth century in a row was laid to rest by the way the rest of the team played.

Sri Lanka put themselves at a disadvantage right at the start by fiddling with what has been a rock-solid opening combination by choosing to send Kusal Perera to open the innings. The man who is billed as Sanath Jayasuriya’s clone tried to slog his way at the top but inadvertently failed to get going. His three runs came off 10 balls, most of which were plays and misses. He was done in by Kyle Abbott, who was unplayable with the new ball. Perera edged to Quinton de Kock, who took a terrific catch, juggling a bit mid-air before recovering well enough to secure the catch.

If Perera’s dismissal was on the cards, Tillakaratne Dilshan’s was a result of the poor batting displayed at the other end. Dilshan went hard at Dale Steyn in the fifth over — with just four runs on the board — and ended up edging to Faf du Plessis at slip. That brought in Lahiru Thirimanne, who was by far the most fluent batsman on the day. Thirimanne scored 41 off 48 balls fith five boundaries before playing early off Imran Tahir and offering a simple return catch which the bowler happily accepted.

Mahela Jayawardene walked out at No. 5 for what could be the final time in his career. Unfortunately, the Sangakkara-Jayawardene partnership that has caused bowlers worldwide such strife for so long was cut short early when Jayawardene pulled a short ball straight to midwicket. Angelo Mathews soon followed suit, trying to go over long on off Duminy only to pick out du Plessis at midwicket.

That was the start of the end, as Thisara Perera edged to Rilee Rossouw at slip from the gloves of de Kock off Tahir. Nuwan Kulasekara then edged behind and walked off the first ball of Duminy’s next over (he had dismissed Mathews off the final ball of his last one). Debutant mystery spinner Tharindu Kaushal was struck plumb in front off his first delivery in international cricket to award Duminy the first ever World Cup hat-trick by a South African.

All hope now rested on the broad record-breaking shoulders of Sangakkara. He hit two boundaries to raise Sri Lanka’s hopes, but was caught at third man by David Miller to be dismissed for possibly the last time in his ODI career. It seemed even the heavens cried at the prospect, as moments later the skies opened up and play was interrupted.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 133 in 37.2 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 45, Lahiru Thirimanne 41; JP Duminy 3 for 29, Imran Tahir 4 for 26) beat South Africa 134 for 1 in 18 overs (Quinton de Kock 78*; Lasith Malinga 1 for 43) by 9 wickets.