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World Cup: South Africa surge on

Michael Atherton got one thing right in this World Cup when he described South African cricket as ``attritional''. Ruthlessly and without a trace of pity for struggling Holland, Hansie Cronje's team steamrolled their way to a fifth victory in Pakistan by the margin of 160 runs.

They are the only side in the tournament to finish the qualifying round unbeaten and this will give them added strength - if any is needed - for the quarter-final tie against West Indies in Karachi on Monday.

South Africa have now won 10 one-day internationals in a row (five of them against England during the winter tour) and are one short of equalling the West Indies' record sequence.

Cronje said afterwards: ``We came here meaning to win every game and that is what we have done.''

Holland, on the other hand, are the only team to have lost all their games. It was fitting that Steve Lubbers, their captain, should face the final delivery in his last innings before retirement.

Holland have won many friends in Pakistan and Lubbers said: ``We have enjoyed ourselves immensely. It was a dream come true.

``We are still on a learning curve. The old hands got us here, the next Dutch side will be a lot younger and a lot stronger.''

He repeated a plea to the Test and County Cricket Board to let the team into the Benson & Hedges Cup. ``That is how we will go on improving.''

The same could be said for South Africa and Zimbabwe accommodating Kenya, and Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka giving a helping hand to the United Arab Emirates.

On a perfect batting surface, Andrew Hudson and Gary Kirsten set a World Cup first-wicket record partnership of 186. Hudson hit 161 off 131 deliveries, including four sixes and 13 boundaries.

But Cronje declined to give batting opportunities to Brian McMillan and Jacques Kallis, neither of whom have spent much time in the middle because of the success of the top order. Kallis got in for the final four overs but was struggling with his timing.

Nolan Clarke, with his first good innings, and Peter Cantrell put on 56 for Holland's first wicket but then six went down for another 70 runs.

Man of the match: AC Hudson