The Proteas will be playing one of the most important games to date at the ICC Cricket World Cup when they face the Black Caps of New Zealand in Pune on Wednesday.

The Proteas are in a very strong position to qualify for the semi-finals but they will need to break their winless streak against New Zealand at the World Cup.

The Black Caps are back-to-back finalists and are on a two-match losing streak at the tournament following defeat to India and Australia.

South Africa haven’t won a game against the Black Caps at the World Cup since the 1999 tournament in England and Wales.

In addition, the pressure will be on the Proteas to emulate the tremendous success of the Springboks.

The Proteas watched the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday as a team and they are inspired by what Siya Kolisi and his charges were able to achieve against the All Blacks.

David Miller - Cricinfo

The Proteas coach, Rob Walter, said they are certainly inspired, but it also remains very important to focus on their own campaign.

“To be honest, winning the World Cup is as much a desire as it was before,” said Walter who spent many years coaching in New Zealand.

“I don't think that desire has become bigger just because the Springboks won. It's more an inspiration in terms of how they won it. Hopefully, that's the thing that proves a catalyst for us moving forward, along with the inherent confidence you get from the cricket we've been playing.

“The attention might shift a bit to us now, but we've spoken about what we can take from the Boks' example, instead of how it affects us from a pressure point of view.

“Rugby is rugby - they've done really well and won back-to-back titles and cricket is yet to get over the line.

“We'll really just try to take care of our own business.”

Wednesday’s game in Pune is scheduled to get underway at 10:30.

Pakistan - Cricinfo

Meanwhile, on Tuedsday, Pakistan will be in action against the Tigers of Bangladesh in Kolkata.

Pakistan are under a lot of pressure following four straight defeats with their most recent being a 1-wicket loss at the hands of South Africa.

Bangladesh are also under the pump after five defeats which includes an 87-run loss against the Netherlands on Saturday.

The Pakistan assistant coach, Grant Bradburn, said they’ve reached a point where they have to rely on favours.

“We're in a position that we didn't want to be,” said the New Zealander.

“We were determined at this stage of the tournament to be in control of our destiny but we're not. “That hurts the group and all we can do now is control what we can control, and that is prepare well for three remaining pool games and then allow fate to be hopefully leaning on us in terms of our semi-final hopes from there.

“We wanted to be in control, and we're not, and that's the reality that we've faced, and that's certainly hurt the group, and there's been a lot of disappointment over the last period of time.

“But it's a very tight group, and pleased to say that we're really looking forward to another opportunity on Tuesday.”

This game at Eden Gardens gets underway this morning at 10:30.

Azmatullah Omarzai - Cricinfo

In Monday's game, Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by 7-wickets, in Pune to remain in the hunt for a semi-final berth. For Sri Lanka defeat means that their chances of reaching the last four is starting to fade.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport