Symcox puzzled by Philander pick
"You've got an in form bowler who's got bounce and he's got pace and has bowled so well in the last couple of days. You've got to be so brave to change that bowling line-up. If you went and changed Quinton De Kock before the Sri Lankan match, I'd have said that's fine, but you're bold enough there to keep him, yet you're not bold enough to play Kyle Abbott who'd just bowled so well. It's water under the bridge, and that's the way it is. Let's move on," he added.
Symcox also believes that South Africa committed too many costly errors at Eden Park.
"It just wasn't our day in the field. We made some basic mistakes. I think the side will be looking back and saying we could have done things a little bit better, maybe bowl a little bit better up front. There was a couple of dropped catches and missed opportunities in the field. That happens. New Zealand had the same problems. That's part and parcel of the game," he said.
Symcox, who also played for the Sunfoil Dolphins, feels the Proteas can be proud of their efforts and the way in which they reacted to the defeat.
"I'm proud of the way the Proteas played to be honest and I'm quite proud of the way AB de Villiers conducted himself and did what he did after the game. He was very humble and did the right things and I think we are all going to be proud of them, there is no doubt. They left nothing on the table, but that's another loss. You just have to move on," he added.
The Proteas were knocked out by New Zealand in a tightly contested encounter.
Chasing a victory target of 298, the Black Caps found themselves needing five runs off the last two balls.
Grant Elliott smashed a six off the penultimate delivery to seal a four-wicket victory for the tournament co-hosts.
New Zealand will face either Australia or India in the final.
There has been mixed reaction on social media from fans, check it out.
Absolutely gutted but proud of @ABdeVilliers17 & the boys. Fought til the end but not 2 be. We'll be back sooner than you think. #ProteaFire
— Shaun Bartlett (@shaunbart9) March 24, 2015
Heartbreaking!!! But Unbelievably proud of my Protea Boys👍 Great fight until the end. #ProteaFire
— JP Pietersen (@jppietersen14) March 24, 2015
Proud of you AB and the boys be rest assured. #ProteaFire
— RSA Min of Sport (@MbalulaFikile) March 24, 2015
The raw emotion of sport so cruel and harsh for some and at the same time so joyous and uplifting for others .. #ProteaFire!!!
— Bryan Habana (@BryanHabana) March 24, 2015
I dare say we gave it away boys but they know about us. Still proud!! @justproteas #ProteaFire
— Kabelo Mabalane (@KabeloMabalane) March 24, 2015
(File Photo: Gallo Images)
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre