Consistency is key - Smith

Chennai - South Africa skipper Graeme Smith said on Thursday his team needed to show consistency and to peak at the right time to be successful in the World Cup.

"It's going to be a tense and exciting tournament. If we keep the confidence going and peak at the right time we are capable of being successful," Smith told reporters in Chennai.

"You need to sustain good performances over a lengthy period of time as the World Cup is for six weeks. We have to be ready for our games when they come, especially in the round-robin league."

South Africa are in Group B with India, England, the West Indies, Ireland, Bangladesh and the Netherlands, with the top four sides making it to the quarter-finals.

South Africa have never made the final since making their World Cup debut in 1992, but Smith said his side had prepared well for the showpiece one-day tournament.

"We have come here with a lot of energy and have had good preparations. There are a lot of young guys who are excited to have got this opportunity," said Smith, who will quit one-day captaincy after the World Cup.

Smith conceded his team would miss Jacques Kallis if the all-rounder was unable to bowl due to a side strain.

"There is no doubt. When you have got a world-class bowler like Jacques it gives you more options. He will be an asset.

"I don't see the need to expose him too early. He is coming along very well and progressing well. He had a full net session today."

Kallis, the world's leading all-rounder, is expected to only bat in the warm-up games, against Zimbabwe in Chennai on Saturday and Australia in Bangalore on February 15.

South Africa take on the West Indies in their first World Cup match in New Delhi on February 24.