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Ntini-less Proteas meet Mbeki
27/02/2007 16:53 - (SA)
Christo Buchner, Beeld
Johannesburg - With fitness tests and tests for illegal substances behind them, the Proteas are ready for one last challenge before they leave on Wednesday for the World Cup in the West Indies.
Graeme Smith's team went through the formalities at the centre for sports excellence at the University of Pretoria on Monday.
They also met President Thabo Mbeki, who wished them well in their campaign to bring back the World Cup trophy.
On Tuesday, they will face representatives of Standard Bank, their one-day sponsors, in a golf challenge at Royal Johannesburg before their departure for Trinidad.
The Proteas will have two warm-up matches, against Ireland on Monday and against Pakistan next Friday.
Full prepared
The players also had a session with a sports psychologist on Monday evening.
Coach Mickey Arthur said it was important for them to be mentally prepared for the task ahead.
"We must ensure we have all aspects covered and that we arrive in the West Indies fully prepared," he said on Monday.
The only player who missed Monday's activities was fast bowler Makhaya Ntini, who was at his wife's side for the birth of their second child.
He will join his team-mates next week and will miss the match against Ireland.
The players seemed relaxed, but impatient, for the action to start.
Smith said: "We're all geared for the two months that lie ahead."
- Beeld
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