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Cape Town - Bookmakers have lost a little faith in the Proteas' 2019 Cricket World Cup chances following the shock retirement of star player, AB de Villiers.
READ: How does AB's record stack up in SA cricket history?
De Villiers dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he announced his immediate retirement from all three forms of the games.
The decision comes as a massive blow to the Proteas, who would have been counting on De Villiers at next year's World Cup - and the odds have reflected the news.
According to leading SA bookies BET.co.za, the Proteas have slipped to fourth favourites at 5/1 for the tournament due to start in May 2019 in England.
The Proteas of course are still searching for their elusive first World Cup success in what will be their eighth tournament.
Hosts England top the odds at 3/1, followed by Australia (33/10) who will crucially have currently banned trio David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft available for selection - should they deem them required.
India are next at 9/2, then South Africa, followed by New Zealand (7/1) and Pakistan (10/1).
The West Indies and Sri Lanka are the last of the realistic title challengers at 16/1.
