South Africa looking like champions

Confidence comes from winning, and winning is generally a result of three major characteristics within a team. Talent, hard work and team spirit are generally the main objectives to moulding a successful outfit. If today is anything to go by, the South Africans seem to have all these areas covered. Before play they were as noisy as a school-yard playground, a sure sign that the players are motivated and enthusiastic. All day they looked very tightly knit. From the drinks breaks to the team bus, they all looked to be gelling together like a team of good friends hungry for accomplishment in the World Cup. Add to this team camaraderie a core of gifted players, who reputedly work as hard as any team in the international arena, and the South Africans look very strong.

Talking to a number of their players at Southgate today, it was obvious they were fired up and raring to get the competition under way. The attitude within their ranks suggests to me that they are highly motivated going into this World Cup. For one, it will be Bob Woolmer's last hurrah as South African coach, and after a lengthy stint at the helm of South African cricket, I can only guess that "his boys", as he called them earlier this summer, will want to finish off this era with a bang. Teamed with the coach is a captain of inspiration. If any captain in the game can inspire a team, it is Hansie Cronje. Not only is he a fantastic all-round performer in the one-day game, but he is also an incredible motivator when he speaks. Having heard Hansie talk at a charity dinner last summer, I predicted that if the Prime Minister of South Africa was ever looking for a speechwriter or a right-hand man, then Hansie Cronje could fit that role perfectly. His words on that particular night were certainly inspirational and rich in wisdom. Although words have never won a game of cricket, they can certainly help to inspire and motivate a team of hungry individuals.

On the field, the South Africans boast four outstanding all-rounders in Shaun Pollock, the skipper, Lance Klusener and Jacques Kallis. With spearhead Allan Donald and in-form batsman Daryll Cullinan, who has had a massive twelve months in terms of batting productivity, and Gary Kirsten and Jonty Rhodes, South Africa look to be a very well balanced unit. They also have a reputation of being very disciplined people who play the game tough and field with acrobatic agility and entertaining crispness. Jonty needs no introduction, and teamed up with Gibbs and Crookes in the inner circle, short runs are going to be difficult to steal from these run-saving security guards.

The surprise packet so far this summer has been exciting wicket keeper-batsman Mark Boucher. After a century in the first practice game, he belted an aggressive ninety today. Whether he continues to bat at number three when the big games start on the weekend remains to be seen, but it must be a very tempting option for the in-form and prepared South Africans. Considering current form and overall balance, I am predicting the South Africans will be in the June 20 Final at Lords.

The only flaw in their armour may be their lack of a front line match-winning spinner.

Time will tell!

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