South Africa warm up for Champions Trophy

South Africa are to play the Lions in a day-night match today in their build-up to the Champions Trophy in India next month, followed by the Titans on Sunday at Centurion.

Today's match follows South Africa's thrashing of Zimbabwe on Wednesday, a match they won by 171 runs largely thanks to a violent hundred from Mark Boucher. In 68 balls, he crashed an unbeaten 147 with ten sixes and eight fours. It was the second fastest one-day hundred, behind Shahid Afridi, and the fastest by a South African.

This weekend's matches not only provide South Africa with important practice ahead of the Champions Trophy in India, but also give the selectors the opportunity to assess the Titans and Lions squads, both of whom are fielding strong sides including players who will be pushing for a World Cup place.

Neil McKenzie, the Lions captain, is just one of a group of former internationals and up-and-coming players to play this weekend: good performances from the likes of Charl Langeveldt, Garnett Kruger, Justing Ontong and Alviro Petersen won't go unnoticed. And for the Titans, they will field Dale Steyn, the Test fast bowler, and Morné Morkel.