Cupcakes, not chokers: SA coach Conrad’s cheeky swipe after big win

South Africa’s dominant run in the T20 World Cup has not only strengthened their title credentials but also revived an old conversation, the much debated “chokers” tag . This time, however, head coach Shukri Conrad chose humour over irritation to address it.

Ahead of their Super Eights clash against India, the host broadcaster aired a commercial referencing the long standing “chokers” label associated with the South Africa national cricket team. The term has followed the Proteas for decades, suggesting a tendency to falter in high pressure knockout matches despite strong league stage performances. Painful World Cup exits over the years cemented that narrative, turning it into one of cricket’s most persistent stereotypes.

But this South African side appears determined to rewrite that story. After thumping India in their opener and maintaining an unbeaten run , they have emerged as one of the most composed and confident units in the tournament.

When asked about pressure before the semifinal against New Zealand, Conrad offered a witty twist. Referring to the so-called “C word,” he said there was another one for it, “cupcakes.”

The remark was layered with meaning. While “chokers” implies crumbling under pressure , “cupcakes” flipped the insult into something light hearted and dismissive. It was Conrad’s way of signalling that the team is no longer weighed down by history and is instead embracing the big stage .

“There’s always pressure,” he said. “It’s what you do with that pressure and how you shift it.”

That shift perhaps began last year when South Africa won the World Test Championship title , a breakthrough that helped erase mental scars from past ICC heartbreaks. Now the only unbeaten side left in the competition, they head into the semifinals not as underdogs but as favourites , a tag Conrad insists they are comfortable carrying.

For a team once defined by narrow defeats, this campaign feels different. The jokes are sharper, the cricket is stronger, and the burden of the past seems lighter. Whether the “cupcakes” line becomes a footnote or a turning point will depend on what follows, but for now, South Africa are redefining their narrative with confidence.