Former South African fast bowler Shaun Pollock has said that South Africans don’t deserve to be branded as chokers even after failing to reach the semi-finals in the recently concluded Champions Trophy.

Pollock also said that South Africans played some rusty cricket in their opening match against the Sri-Lankans and improved well in their next encounter against New Zealand.

“I think South Africa were a bit rusty in their first game (a loss to Sri Lanka) and in their second (a win against New Zealand) they played really well”—he said.

"In their third game I think they were just beaten by an England side that played as well as they has at any stage in the tournament"—he added.

When questioned on India’s performance he said that India played well against Pakistan but their rivals were too good on that day.

"I think they played really well against Pakistan in their first match (which they lost), but Pakistan were just better on the day."

He also said that things could have been different if India could have got the chance to play a full match against the Australians.

"They’re the form team in world cricket at the moment but, unfortunately, they had a no-result against Australia," he added.