Proteas go to India without collar tag

By Tando Mfengwana
09 October 2006

The Proteas have lost the collar tag which has haunted them in past World Cup matches, says Jacques Kallis.

The Mercury reports that South Africa has won lesser tournaments easily, but has faltered on the big stage, particularly in their one run defeat by the hands of world number one, Australia, in the 1999 World Cup semi-finals.

Kallis said that he thinks the stigma has been kicked out a long time ago, and that they have been successful in the past few years. They have won tense games and successfully chased huge totals.

This is in light of the Proteas 3-2 defeat of Australia in a one-day series at home in March, they clinched the decider by chasing down a record target of 435 with a record smashing 438 runs with a wicket in hand.

South Africa is currently rated second in the world behind Australia.

Former captain Shaun Pollock said that they definitely played well against Australia back home, and that they had gained a lot of confidence from that. He said that this is a big season for the Proteas this year, and that they can beat anyone.

Pollock said that they want to make sure that they are ready as they the opportunity to win the Champions Trophy and the World Cup. He said that they want to surethat they are ready for the two tournments.

South Africa will start off their Champions Trophy campaign with a match against New Zealand on October 16 in India.

South Africa won the World Cup in 1998, have had their share of bad luck, especially in 1992 and 2003.

Pollock said that the team has to make sure that they start off well in their pool. Playing in India, in their 2-2 draw, was a good experience and gives them a lot of confidence.