Co-hosts India is full of confidence, despite having to work hard to see off a determined Ireland in the last outing. And even though they have already booked a slot in the quarter-finals, the Indians will press for another victory as they seek to keep the momentum at the tournament.
Captain MS Dhoni has called on his top order batsman to lay the foundation, so as to take the pressure off Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh, Dhoni and Yusuf Pathan.
“If our openers can play as long as possible, it will be good for us… what we have seen is that if both Sachin [Tendulkar] and Viru [Virender Sehwag] get going, it gets very difficult to stop them,” he said.
“If we have slightly longer partnerships at the top, the explosive power of our middle and lower-middle order can be used more in the positive way.”
South African, in the meantime, have only played three game would sit the perfect position to eased out of Group A and a win.
Skipper Graeme Smith is looking for his bowlers to deliver at the VCA Stadium, adding that it will be "wonderful to face the Indians.
It's going to be a wonderful occasion and we're looking forward to it," Smith said.
Where: Vidharbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
When: Sat March 12, 14:30 local, 09:00 GMT, 20:00 AEDT, 22:00 NZDT
ODI Head to Head: Played: 65, Wins: India 24, South Africa 39, No Result: 2
Last meeting: Jan 23, 2011 – South Africa 250-9 (46 ov) beat India 234 (40.2 ov) by 33 runs (D/L method)
World Cup Head to head: Played: 2, Wins: India 0, South Africa 2
World Cup Last meeting: May 15, 1999, India 253-5 (50 ov) lost to South Africa 254-6 (47.2 ov) by four wickets
