Graeme Smith / Captainu00a0
Graeme Smith" src="http://www.mid-day.com/sports/img/smith-sa-wc.jpg" width=400>
The imposing Graeme Smith leads from the front and injects confidence into the team with his aggressive batting and cool demeanour on the pitch. The one thing that strikes you about Smith is his upfront approach to captaincy and his game. He may not be the most elegant of stroke players, but his no-nonsense methods fetch him plenty of runs. Often, when Smith gets going, the batsmen that follow surge in confidence and his early onslaughts have set the tone for quite a number of big chases. Under Smith, South Africa have become a potent and confident unit that match up to the best in the world. Examples: the Test series win in Australia, running India close away from home. Smith's ODI record is quite amazing. With just 161 matches under his belt, the burly opener has amassed nearly 6000 runs at a decent clip. With flat pitches in the subcontinent and shorter boundaries, expect Smith to get going in the World Cup.u00a0

Hashim Amla

Amla's Test record speaks for itself and his superb form over the last two seasons has carried over into the shorter format of the game. With an average of almost 60 and a nearly run-a-ball strike rate means Amla is certainly a force to be reckoned with. He has also made the opener's slot his own, backing up Smith with some stellar performances.u00a0

Dale Steyn

A fire-breathing, tearaway fast bowler Steyn is the most feared of South Africa's long line of pacemen. Someone who can trouble the batsmen with pace and swing, Steyn has an enviable Test record, but has yet to come into his own in the ODI arena. A hungry bowler is always more difficult to deal with and despite the battingfriendly wickets and conditions, Steyn will surely be the one most feared by the opposition.u00a0

Jacques Kallis

The most important player in the South African line-up, Kallis is the cog that makes the team move. He is also the player that the opposition most desire to see back in the dressing room. A true great of the game, Kallis has a record that would make any player envious - 11,000 runs and 259 wickets make him the most brilliant all-rounder in the game today.u00a0

AB de Villiers

If there is one batsman in world cricket that epitomises the limited-over format, it is AB. De Villiers scores at such amazing pace that South Africa do not see the need to employ a pinch hitter and when he cannot find the boundaries, he scurries around to make the most of the singles and twos. He is also turning into a very capable wicketkeeper, affording his team the luxury of playing an extra bowler or batsman.u00a0

JP Duminy

Two good seasons with his IPL team would have given Duminy the requisite knowledge of the subcontinent conditions and his current good form is certainly welcome. Duminy's batting is elegant and graceful and he is terrific when quick runs are the need of the hour. He is also one of the most brilliant fielders in the game and his off-spin is sure to come in handy on the turning tracks of the subcontinent.u00a0

Morne Morkel

If Steyn is the cannon, then Morkel is the AK47 that keeps on going no matter what the conditions are. A tall fast bowler who can extract bounce out of the most unwilling of wickets, Morkel is the perfect foil to Steyn with his nagging length and awkward delivery height. He can also hang around with the bat and can chip in with the extra boundary or two needed to get home in tight chases.u00a0

WC Recordu00a0
South Africa were banished from the game till the 1992 World Cup.u00a0
1975u00a0- Debuted in the World Cup.
1979 -u00a0Could not get past group stage.
1983 -u00a0Managed one win but lost other five matches.
1987 -u00a0Could not muster even a single win.u00a0
1992 -u00a0Ousted in the group stage.u00a0
1996 -u00a0Stunned the world by winning their first World Cup.
1999 -u00a0Dumped out in the first round.u00a0
2003 -u00a0Defeated by Australia in the semis.u00a0
2007 -u00a0Losing finalists to Australia.u00a0

Follow Sri Lankau00a0

Feb 20 VS Canadau00a0
Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota

Feb 26 VS Pakistanu00a0
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombou00a0

Mar 1 VS Kenyau00a0
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Mar 5 VS Australiau00a0
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombou00a0

Mar 10 VS Zimbabweu00a0
Pallekele International Cricket Stadiumu00a0

Mar 18 VS New Zealandu00a0
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai