South Africa aim to replace football headlines

One thing is dominating the sporting minds of South Africans. And it isn't the World Twenty20, even though the football World Cup doesn't start until June 11. Given the team's record at global tournaments perhaps that isn't a surprise, and Graeme Smith's downbeat assessment of his side's preparation didn't suggest they were primed to end their trophy drought.

Other than Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn the IPL wasn't a huge success for South Africa. AB de Villiers and Mark Boucher were shunted out of their franchises' XIs, Smith broke his hand again and Charl Langeveldt was also injured. Still, it would be ridiculous to suggest they don't have a chance over the next two weeks.

It has been a period upheaval since the end of England series with Mickey Arthur resigning as coach just days before the India tour and Mike Proctor, the convenor of selectors, also losing his job in a radical shake-up. Corrie van Zyl took charge of the team and under the circumstances a 1-1 Test series in India was a notable success.

Having had a couple of months to formulate plans, van Zyl will now have a better idea of the task ahead. Can he be the coach to bring back that elusive silverware? And, while the football World Cup is nearing, will anyone notice if he does?

A shared series against England was a disappointment, but the way they pulverised the visitors at Centurion Park in racking up 241 for 6 showed their batting packs a punch. Last time out at the World Twenty20, South Africa produced a slick display to reach the semi-finals only to be undone by Pakistan, to leave Smith facing familiar questions having been a similar situation when the team bottled it against India during the 2007 event.

The batting is full of powerful strokemakers with Jacques Kallis, especially, having reinvented himself in this year's IPL. A couple of years ago it appeared South Africa had moved on from him in Twenty20, but now he is central to their hopes. The problem in recent times has been the balance of the team as they try to squeeze two spinners, Roelof van der Merwe and Johan Botha, into the line-up. They will also miss the wicket-taking ability of Wayne Parnell who is an IPL casualty. As ever, the 'c' word is never far away, either.

AB de Villiers was dropped midway through the IPL as Delhi tried to juggle their batting resources, but he's a guaranteed starter for his country. His average of 23 suggests he has underachieved in Twenty20, although sometimes that has been down to a lack of time in the middle. However, just as a vital is his fielding that is capable of winning matches with a catch or a run out.

Dale Steyn, meanwhile, produced some express spells in India and, although four overs doesn't leave much time to make an impact, he can influence matches with early wickets. Often during the IPL, he wasn't used in the death overs and it will be interesting to see how Smith utilises his strike weapon.

Maybe Smith's underwhelming comments are a secret plan. South Africa have often entered global events under the weight of expectation. Could the captain be trying some reverse psychology? On the field, Loots Bosman has been a revelation in recent T20s and was unlucky not to get an IPL deal. If he gets going, Caribbean grounds won't be big enough.