The USA are upbeat and confident heading into Wednesday's ICC T20 World Cup Super8’s clash against the Proteas in Antigua.

The co-hosts, America, exceeded everyone’s expectations by reaching the next stage of the World Cup, and facing South Africa will be a different kettle of fish to deal with.

South Africa will be targeting their most complete performance of the tournament despite having won all four of their previous games.

The former Knights batter, Andries Gous, who plays for the USA told OFM Sport that they back their ability.

“I'm very much looking forward to the game - I think not only because it's South Africa, but it's again one of the best teams in this tournament,” said Gous.

“I feel they are really a quality team with a lot of super stars in their side, so it's just once again for us as the USA to really go out there and try and perform and try and compete against one of the best teams in the world.

“I think we've shown that, especially against Pakistan and even India, that we can compete and we can even beat some of the bigger teams. It's been really an awesome campaign for us so far and I think the confidence in the camp is pretty high.

“We are trying to focus on our own path and our own things instead of focusing on the bigger teams. We've probably in the last six weeks plus a few games coming up, we would have probably played against seven out of the top ten teams in the world, which is incredible for the USA. I don't think they've ever played any top ten team, let alone now seven in a space of three weeks.

“So it's really awesome for the growth of cricket in the USA, and also, I think for us as players, it's just awesome to know that we're out there competing against the best players in the world.

“We want to show the world that we're also good enough and we also can compete against them.”

Wednesday’s match between the Proteas and USA at North Sound gets underway at 16:30.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport