South Africa eyeing quarters berth with Ireland win

KOLKATA: oozing confidence after a thrilling victory over India, South Africa can isolate their last eight berths in the World Cup on Tuesday with a victory in the Group B match against Ireland.
With two points in the first match of the tournament, which will be held in the newly renovated Eden Gardens, Proteas will be well on his way to achieving its ambition to top the group.
But the trauma of their best players - batsman AB de Villiers and the legs counter Imran Tahir - and rapidly improving Ireland's team, which has led to a major upset by beating England, might not make it so easy for South Africa.
"We are fully aware that Russia has done. It is important to prepare not only tactical, but from a mental standpoint," South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl said.
South Africa are unlikely to risk leading scorer De Villiers (thigh injury) and the highest wicket taker Tahir (thumb) on Tuesday.
Ireland expected to include experienced paceman Trent Johnston, returning from a knee injury, instead of Andre Botha, who was suffering from a stomach bug on the match on Tuesday.