South African captain AB de Villiers believes New Zealand are among the 2015 World Cup contenders as they would be playing at home and motivated to do well.
New Zealand and Australia are the co-hosts of the World Cup beginning on February 14.
“I would not call them dark horses. I would say one of the favourites,” de Villiers said yesterday.
“They are always a very competitive ODI team. Playing on their home grounds in their country, they’ll be even more competitive.
“We know what they are capable of, especially playing in these kinds of conditions. They haven’t won a big tournament for a while so they must be very motivated to do well.
“They are very used to the conditions in New Zealand and Australia. They will have a lot of home support, even in Australia as well. It is a short flight over there. They will have a lot of people right behind them and wanting them to do well. Haven’t won a World Cup so they will be desperate to do well,” he added.
South Africa begin their preparations for the World Cup with a three-match one-day series against New Zealand beginning next week and de Villiers is intent on winning.
“The most important thing is to get a bit of confidence over there against two teams (New Zealand and Australia) I see as a threat in the World Cup. Mentally and physically, it will be a really good way for us to get on top of them before the World Cup starts,” he said.
New Zealand would also be boosted by the possible return of veteran left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, who has been battling injury concerns and hasn’t played an international since the Champions Trophy in June 2013.
De Villiers feels Vettori’s presence in New Zealand’s World Cup team will be crucial.
“I would feel very confident if I was in their team having Dan in the side. Huge amount of confidence, experience that comes into the side. He has done it before. He has got the world’s best batters out before.
“From a captaincy point of view it is always nice to have a guy like that in your side, right behind you, helping you with a few moves and the thought process of how you are supposed to be moving forward as a team,” he added.