Thursday, February 6, 2003 The South African World Cup squad, along with an entourage of psychologists, physiologists and coaches, retreated into the beauty and tranquillity of the Drakensberg Mountains in an effort to become the first home side ever to win the World Cup. There is a first time for everything ...

The country is 100% behind their team, and yet there is doubt as to whether they can make it all the way. The continuing steamroller form of the current Australian side, even without Steve Waugh, is a worrying factor. I guess the mood is one of "We can make the final but how are we going to beat Australia?"

The two moments that will come back to haunt this side - and trust me I know - are Herschelle Gibbs spilling what should have been for him, and indeed anyone, a relatively simple catch when Waugh was on 58 in the Super Six match at Headingley in 1999. Defeat would have put Australia on the next plane home.

The second opportunity - that cruel last-over run-out - has been seen so many times that it is not worth repeating, yet what psychological hold does that semi-final defeat have on this current team? It will be a topic for discussion and exorcism for Clinton Gahweiler, the sports psychologist currently with the team. I know and have used Clinton on many occasions and he is excellent; I genuinely believe that he will get rid of the scar tissue that may well be with those who play.

South Africa's form has been every bit as good as Australia's recently, only without the accompanying publicity. They have vanquished two excellent one-day teams, Sri Lanka and Pakistan, so a head-to-head against Australia would represent a dream final and be a titanic struggle. Australia would obviously claim the psychological high ground, and they probably do have it - but not by as much as people might think.

A lot has been made of South Africa taking over at the top of the Test Championship. Clearly Australia have games in hand, so not too much can be read into that statistic, apart from the fact that South Africa remain a force.

But South Africa have also improved in two vital areas: firstly, the relationship with the selection committee and the playing management. Political interference is at an all-time low, and the team goes into the World Cup as a settled unit. Naturally there are players who are unlucky not to be there, but the current feeling is that the selected players are all going to perform creditably for their country.

The second important factor is the improvement in the captaincy of Shaun Pollock, who has suddenly grown up into the role and is far more assertive, his man-management skills infinitely better. Both these factors were very clearly highlighted this season. And Eric Simons, who as a coach is something of an unknown quantity to the public, is a very good man, and his attention to detail is meticulous.

The final factor in South Africa's favour is that they have always been notoriously tough to beat on home turf. Simons organised the week in the mountains, and the pictures of raft-building, mountain-bike riding and team meetings will appeal to all as they see the players making a conscious effort to make amends for the travesty of Edgbaston '99.

But what are the realities? Allan Donald is a fine bowler, but not the force he used to be. Can he recreate the control and fire of four years ago? Lance Klusener has not been able to repeat the feats of 1999; Gary Kirsten has not been in prime form but his experience will be invaluable, while Jonty Rhodes has not been playing Test matches for two years. Can he lift his game without playing at the highest level? And Herschelle Gibbs's form is only just starting to improve in South Africa. So there are some question-marks still.

So many people talk about the pressures of playing at home, yet I believe the South African public make a massive difference to their team. The outcome of the Drakensberg week will hopefully be that each member of the team won't worry about the end result, but on each ball as it is bowled, batted or fielded. They must concentrate on controlling the controllables.

The country of South Africa needs a stimulus, as they did when the rugby side won the World Cup. The country is sport mad, and the feelgood factor will be enormous. Interestingly a number of players - Donald and Rhodes included - have dedicated this World Cup to their great friend and former captain Hansie Cronje. The one thing certain about one-day cricket is that it is uncertain. However if planning and preparation is the key to winning, South Africa have left no stone unturned.

Bob Woolmer, who coached South Africa in 1999, is now ICC's high-performance manager, with special responsibility for the emerging countries.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd