The Proteas have a perfect record so far at the global tournament having won seven from seven matches, but every encounter could have gone either way, not least the last game against the co-hosts West Indies that went down to the wire.
Markram’s charges have shown skill and desire in critical moments to pull out victories from the jaws of defeat and they now stand on the cusp of going where no other Proteas team have gone before – a World Cup final.
The skipper told reporters: “We’ve been involved in quite a few close games in this competition, so it won’t feel like anything new to us.
“We also take a lot of belief into it, knowing we might not be in ideal positions but we have been able to get the job done and that offers a lot of calmness as a team.
“You look at the way you want to play and if you’re operating in that space, you take calmness and confidence in your decision making and hopefully those things help us.
“We have a lot of trust in each other and our decision making. Whether it is the right one or the wrong one, we are committed to it.”
The Proteas captain has admitted that playing in a semi-final of a global tournament brings a different kind of pressure, especially given the history of previous South African sides.
Just seven months ago the Proteas, with largely the same group of players, lost in a last-four clash at the 50-over World Cup against Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Markram feels they have learned some hard lessons along the way and will take the positives into the clash against Afghanistan.
“We are happy to acknowledge there are more nerves and more anxiety, but those are normal emotions you feel as a human,” Markram said.
“The environment you are able to create in the changeroom, along with experience, plays a big role in how things look on the field.
“Guys have a lot of trust in each other and are willing to put everything on the line for each other.
“The one promise we make to each other is to bring some really good energy and excitement about the game. This is an opportunity to do something special.”
