Allan Donald claims Proteas 'very excited' for WC opener against Zimbabwe

South Africa bowling coach Allan Donald has claimed that the squad is very excited for their Cricket World Cup opener against Zimbabwe on Sunday at Christchurch.

South Africa intensified their preparation for their opening match of the World Cup against Zimbabwe with a training session on Friday.

Their bowling coach, Donald, feels that the excitement is building around the squad as the opening match draws closer and the intensity in preparation takes a shift, Sport24 reported.

The former paceman said that he remembers getting on the bus at Christchurch and added that AB De Villiers just said that now is the time to lock in. He claimed that everyone is excited, adding that they know it is right on the doorstep now and they are very eager to get on with it.

The South African squad is reportedly wary of the unpredictable nature of the Zimbabwean side, but carry good confidence and insight following their successful tour across the border in August.

Donald said that they did some homework, had good meetings over the last couple of days, especially this morning strategizing around that, adding that that was a good little exercise in Zimbabwe.

He insisted that they know they are going to face a lot of spin, as Zimbabwe base their cricket around that, claiming that they have some dangerous players like Williams and Masakadza to name a few.

Donald claimed that that's really what his side expects from Zimbabwe, tough and gritty, they find a way, adding that their opponents are a team that never sort of goes away.