Proteas heading Down Under: Mbalula hails CSA
The tournament gets underway next weekend and will see matches played in Australia and New Zealand.
Briefing the media at the team send-off at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg, Mbalula said the team selected for the tournament represents "a humdinger of a future socially-cohesive, non-racial and united South Africa. Who would have thought in the history of the nascent democratic South Africa that today we'll be sending off a team comprised of seven black players and eight white players. This is indeed a phenomenal achievement. Cricket South Africa deserves a round of applause for this bold and visionary act."
National team coach, Russell Domingo, said they are not heading into the tournament with a complacent attitude.
''There's no sailing when it comes to World Cup games, it's a one-off occasion. There is absolutely no thought of complacency or easy games. Zimbabwe will need a lot of respect. We play Zimbabwe up front - they turned over Australia a few months ago or so. If you're not on top of your game against any of those sides you can come unstuck,'' said Domingo.
The team will be led by captain AB de Villliers.
(File photo: Gallo Images)