Bob Woolmer believes South Africa have the balance and the power to emerge World Cup winners.

Pakistan coach Woolmer was in charge of the South Africans in 2003 when a miscalculation over the run rate rules sent them crashing to defeat against Sri Lanka after a rain-affected match.

But four years on, Woolmer believes that if Graeme Smith's men, now the top-ranked side in the world, can harness patience to their impressive all-round game, they could emerge champions.

"They have a very balanced batting line-up," said Woolmer.

"It makes them a very powerful batting unit with Mark Boucher coming in at No.7, Shaun Pollock at 8 and Justin Kemp at 9.

"They have a genuine game plan against any team and that can put teams under serious pressure. The possible weakness is that they will have a go at everything.

"As it happens occasionally, they can just hit the ball to the fielders and get out, being over confident and letting the other team get into their top order. If teams can get into their top order quickly then it won't be so easy for them," Woolmer told www.cricinfo.com.

Woolmer also thinks that the batsmen may struggle against spin.

"They could be exposed if they are needed to bowl spin. They aren't confident playing against the turning ball. Their weakness might be playing spin, although I think they have improved tremendously against it," said Woolmer.

"To me they are the favourites walking into this World Cup, along with New Zealand and Australia. On current form and the way these three sides are playing, they should fill in the first three slots in the semi-finals, and then everyone else fights for the fourth spot.

"There are some very good sides in the tournament; you cannot rule out Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka or even England. It will work out to be a terrific World Cup. At the moment South Africa are my favourites."

Woolmer added that South Africa need to have their best players on top of their games.

"The key players are Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher and Smith (when he does well, the team does well too). I think AB de Villiers is someone who can really take the game away. Makhaya Ntini is also a key player."

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)