Cricket: Australia versus South Africa head-to-head

Matthew Hayden is part of Australia's superlative top three. Photo / Reuters

Head-to-head: australia 35 - south africa 28 (3 ties)

Last 10: Australia 6-4

World cup head-to-head meetings
26/02/92 Sydney, South Africa won by 9 wkts
13/06/99 Leeds, Australia won by 5 wkts
17/06/99 Birmingham, match tied
24/03/07 Basseterre, Australia won by 83 runs

Australia - world ranking: 1

Previous World Cup victories: 3 (1987, 1999, 2003)

Strengths:
* Superlative top three of Matthew Hayden, Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting
* Plenty of power hitting in the middle
* Varied, balanced attack and brilliant fielding
* Big match temperament

Weakness:
* Yet to be tested under pressure in this World Cup tournament


South Africa - world ranking: 2

Previous World Cup victories: Nil

Strengths:
* Combativeness
* Solid upper order of Graeme Smith, AB De Villiers and Jacques Kallis
* Aggressive, in-your-face attack and similarly strong in the field as Australia

Weakness:
* History of choking under pressure in World Cups