“They have got match-winners – not one or two but actually six or seven of them who can win matches on their own”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Former India batsman VVS Laxman has predicted that South Africa will win the 2015 World Cup.

Laxman noted that the Proteas have been in superb form as of late and also possess numerous match-winners in their squad.

“They are actually [in the] position India was in before the 2011 World Cup,” Laxman told NDTV. “You know a settled unit, experience, youth and you know they have got match-winners – not one or two but actually six or seven of them who can win matches on their own.

“They have got an excellent batting line-up. They have got good all-rounders, they have got finishers. They have one of the best bowling line-ups in world cricket, in any format.”

Meanwhile, ex-Australia captain Ian Chappell doesn’t like the fact that South Africa are known as the ‘chokers’.

“I don’t like that word about international sportsmen” Chappell said. “Until they get that monkey off their back, they will continue to be asked that question.

“They play a type of game that is designed to choke off the runs and stop you scoring and wait for you to make mistakes. You know that’s all well and good if you are playing team who are perhaps your equal or less than you but if you are playing teams that are particularly aggressive teams who might be a little bit better than you then you’ve got to provoke mistakes.”

Legendary India batsman Sunil Gavaskar agreed with Chappell’s comments, and added: “Once you get into the knockout you know that there is no match. If you have a bad day you are gone, you are out of the tournament and that’s the reason why when it comes to the crunch they are not able to swallow. I am not using the word choke. They are not able to swallow and therefore, they struggle a bit.”