Perhaps they could send in a sick note and go to the cinema instead?Since the tournament began, Houghton's intial optimistism in Group B has been replaced by criticism that his side have been playing "schoolboy cricket" and that they cannot handle pressure.

Now he has publicly declared that South Africa, with four wins out of four, look"unbeatable." It seems a strange way to motivate a team but it is hard to argue. Zimbabwe, witH two wins from four, have never beaten the South Africans and will almost certainly be knocked out of the tournament if they do not make history here.

Bob Woolmer's side, meanwhile, have looked every bit as goodas expected. Tested by India in their first game, they have since thrashed hosts England, defending champions Sri Lanka and Kenya.

Their line-up will be the same on Saturday. "We want to maintain the continuity," said Woolmer. "The team are playing well and we want to keep it going. There is a break of almost a week between the Zimbabwe game and our first Super Six match, so there is plenty of time for rest. It is more important that the key players keep in form."

South Africa's strength lies in a five-man pace attack of Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Lance Klusener and Steve Elworthy.

They destroyed Sri Lanka for 110 Kallis and Pollock sharing five wickets for 36 runs - and shot out England for 103 as Donald grabbed four for 17.While their top-order batting can be vulnerable they were 22 for two against India, 122 for eight against Sri Lanka and they lost seven top-order wickets in the space of 57 runs against England their all-rounders have always saved the day.

Lance Klusener, inparticular, has emerged as a key man. Forced out of the side with a bad ankle injury last year, "Zulu", batting at eight or nine, has returned stronger than ever.

Wielding a 3lb 2oz (about 1.5 kilos) bat, the heaviest in the tournament, he has twice saved his side from disaster, with a rapid 52 against Sri Lanka and an equal ly fast 48 not out against England.

He has also chipped in with valuable wickets -- three against India, five against Kenya -- making him the most succesful all-rounder in the tournament.Houghton believes only Pakistan's bowling attack has the quality to kill off theSouth Africans. "That's the only way to beat them, to get them all out," he argues. "You've got to knock them right over."

Zimbabwe do not seem to have that kind of quality. Strike bowler Heath Streak may ruffle a few early feathers and leg spinner Paul Strang will make the South Africans think in mid-innings.

Teams

South Africa (probable): Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis, DarrylCullinan, Hansie Cronje (capt), Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Steve Elworthy, Allan Donald.

Zimbabwe (probable): Neil Johnson, Grant Flower, Paul Strang, Murray Goodwin, Andy Flower, Alistair Campbell (capt), Guy Whittall, Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Henry Olonga.