Reenen's take on South Africa

I feel very honoured to have been asked to do some WC 2007 guest blogging for Cricket24x7. But here is the reason I am somewhat reserved about SA's chances in this world cup:

South African cricket is, in my opinion, very politically inclined (I guess most teams are). The team has succeeded and everyone's praised them. But when they are not succeeding the racial quotas are raised, the captain and coach are fired (fortunately SA kept Pollock on a player).

But if I look at the SA side I see: 12 players + 3 quota. Loots Bosman, Roger Telemachus and Robin Peterson are fillers ... Specialist fielders if you like.

My prediction is that they (probably all of them, but otherwise two of them) will play in games against the Netherlands and Scotland. After that I pray that SA does not get an injury. AB de Villiers, Andre Nel, Andrew Hall, Charl Langeveldt, Ashwell Prince and Justin Kemp will be the ones will be swapped around, with Prince and de Villiers being the ones with the most consistent spots.

My belief is that if SA is kept injury free, they'll reach the finals. I'll write the first match report on 17 March. I'll be here all world cup to give a SA angle on things.

Labels: 2007 world cup, south africa, world cup, world cup squads