'It's emotional. We're into a final': Ex-South Africa cricketers rejoice as SA reach T20 WC final

Graeme Smith and Dale Steyn are all too familiar with heartbreak of being a South African in ICC events, and as Proteas broke jinx by entering ir maiden T20 World Cup final, both men felt emotionally overwhelmed.

South Africa handed a nine-wicket thrashing to Afghanistan in semifinals in Tarouba, Trinid to make final after seven semifinal disappointments of past.

"We are in finals. Couldn't be happier for @AidzMarkaram and team, one more to go," wrote former skipper Smith on his X account, tagging current captain Aiden Markram.

Steyn, premier fast bowler of his time, was as delighted to see his country in showpiece's final, and lauded pace bowlers for producing a brilliant effort to bowl out Afghans for a feeble 56.

"It's emotional down here. We're into a final. Proteas with bit between ir teeth! "It's been destructive poetry in motion. Beautiful to watch," Steyn scribbled on his X handle.

South African government too congratulated team for achieving a historic feat.

"Congratulations @ProteasMenCSA on reaching finals in T20 World Cup for first time beating Afghanistan by 9 wickets." Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) also lauded rivals for reaching title clash, even though y were crestfallen by result in semifinals.

"Not exactly ending we hoped for in this T20 World Cup. But hats off to #AfghanAtalan for an unforgettable performance throughout event.

"Congratulations to @ProteasMenCSA for securing ir first-ever final berth in World Cup cricket."