MORKEL SAYS TYD VIR SPELETJIES IS VERBY, AS PROTEAS GEAR UP FOR UAE

THE Proteas have already qualified for the Super 8 of the World Cup ahead of Wednesday's 7.30am clash against the UAE at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in India.

But they won’t take anything for granted in their final Group D clash, with the UAE playing in their final match of the tournament.

South Africa will be joined in the Super 8 by New Zealand, with Afghanistan and Canada the other teams knocked out alongside UAE.

Specialist team consultant and former big-hitting Proteas allrounder Albie Morkel says the World Cup only starts now for the South Africans who were beaten by India in the final of the last edition.

Albie, whose brother Morne is the bowling coach of India, wysed on Tuesday: “It is a very tough group and the match against Afghanistan [which went to two Super Overs before SA won], still gives me nightmares.

“[But] the first box is ticked. The World Cup starts now, every game from now on will be a tough game.

“[At least] we will be in Ahmedabad [where the Proteas played most of their games] again, where we are used to the conditions.”

He adds of Aiden Markram and his pals being able to handle the pressure that comes with the next round: “ The World Cup starts now, now you face India, Zimbabwe and the West Indies in our group.

“It’s going to be really tough, there will be more pressure on those games.

“But I feel we have a very experienced group; the guys have been exposed to that pressure in various leagues throughout the world, even though international cricket is different.

“I think they will thrive in those circumstances – with a bit more pressure, so I’m not too worried.”