Hosts South Africa surged to the top of the ICC's one-day rankings earlier this year after beating Australia in home and away series, while they showed their one-day credentials again by winning their first five games of the World Twenty20 before falling narrowly to eventual winners Pakistan in the semi-final.
It is difficult to find a weak link in their line-up - the experience of Graeme Smith, Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis at the top of the order preceding the younger talents of AB de Villiers and JP Duminy, while all-rounder Albie Morkel hits the ball further than most other cricketers in the world.
The speedy Dale Steyn anchors the pace attack alongside the emerging left-arm seamer Wayne Parnell, who showed an uncanny ability to bowl yorkers at the death in the World Twenty20. Their spin options feature the steady Johan Botha and emerging left-armer Roelof van der Merwe.
But the Proteas have one of the best fielding sides around - it takes a brave man to dab a quick single to an inner ring containing De Villiers, Gibbs and Duminy.
Six hitters: Albie Morkel, AB de Villiers, Herschelle Gibbs
Death bowler extraordinaire: Wayne Parnell
Toe-cruncher: Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell
Best fielder: AB de Villiers
Who are you?: Lonwabo Tsotsobe (Left-arm seamer with the ability to swing the ball, has a single one-day international to his name)
Squad: Graeme Smith (capt), Johan Botha, Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher (wk), AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Roelof van der Merwe.
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