South Africans bond ahead of revenge mission

SYDNEY, Jan 27 AAP - South Africa's World Cup players, adopting the motto of "No Regrets", have been holding hands and hugging trees among the serene mountains and valleys of the Drakensberg, near Durban.

Well, not quite hugging and holding, but they have been bonding, clearing their heads before they attempt to make amends for shooting themselves in the foot twice against Australia in 1999.

The Proteas spent three days orienteering, white-water rafting, bike-riding, golfing, drumming and hearing nice words from a psychologist late last week as Australia took care of England in the finals of the tri-series.

First on the agenda for Shaun Pollock's side was orienteering. Armed with a set of instructions, a pencil, a balloon, a compass, and, in case they went missing (like they did in the semi-final in `99), a two-way radio, they headed for the hills for two hours. They all came back.

Knowing the last Cup was in their grasp until they choked, the Proteas settled on `No Regrets' as the theme for this campaign.

Herschelle Gibbs, who dropped Australian captain Steve Waugh and the Cup at Headingley, and Allan Donald and Lance Klusener, involved in the brain explosion of a run out in the semi-final, might have taken more convincing than most.

Regrets? They've got more than a few.

After orienteering, the Proteas did a drumming workshop, had dinner and played games. Lovely. Next day, they went on a 15km mountain bike ride.

Team psychologist Clinton Gahwiler spread his wisdom, there was a survivor course and then they all headed for the preferred domain of international cricketers with time on their hands, the golf course.

Day three dawned for more golf, river rafting and another session with Gahwiler. He's a busy man. Shaun Pollock shot an even-par 72 off his six handicap before the team had a three-course dinner.

A biathlon scheduled for Saturday was cancelled.

South Africa has since returned to the nets, currently undergoing a three-day skills camp in Cape Town. Australia leaves for Johannesburg on Thursday.

Rather than bonding, a fair few of the Australians - Glenn McGrath (back), Jason Gillespie (elbow), Michael Bevan (groin) and Shane Warne (shoulder) will be more intent on healing.

Australia's first game is against Pakistan on February 11.