Former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs is confident that Temba Bavuma's team will discard the weight of the old baggage and once again win the ICC Champions Trophy title that it first bagged in 1998.
The 50-year-old is happy with how the South Africa team has shaped up in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
Speaking exclusively to Telecom Asia Sport (www.telecomasia.net), Gibbs said the SA teams and its coach need to be more proactive in the Champions Trophy.
"We won the first one in 1998. We haven't really come close since then but I think our middle-order batting power has made a big difference over the last couple of years, and, for me, it is how the coach uses players like (Heinrich) Klassen, (David) Miller, (and Ryan) Rickleton," said Gibbs, who played in the 2004 edition of the event and struck a fine hundred against the West Indies.
Gibbs is confident, the current side can go all the way. "No reason why we can't win. Our bowling is second to none, got all the basic skills covered.
"If the surface helps the spinners we've got the spinners, if it helps the quicks we've got the quicks. So most importantly for me it's how the coach uses the skillset that he has on offer in a more unpredictable manner.."
Asked for his opinion on Bavuma as captain, who is quite underrated, Gibbs backed the Proteas skipper's leadership.
"Look I think Temba has done quite well, in his stint as ODI captain. He has got the resources to work with. It's a matter of what you do with your resources - I think he's done OK with regards to that.
"He has given the confidence and self-belief to players to execute the skill at the appropriate time and that's what you want with regards to a captain. He's got to get some credit with regards to that, deserves quite a few of it."
On what he thought of Virat Kohli's century against Pakistan, Gibbs said, "His fitness levels are fantastic and I hope he plays for another four years and he can. It was nice to see Virat (Kohli). He is my favourite player. India is definitely the favourite (to win the title)." www.telecomasia.net
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