South Africa don't choke anymore - de Villiers

South Africa's wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers has said that his team "does not need any extra help" in overcoming mental hurdles that have contributed to them crashing out of past World Cups in the knockout stages. South Africa had, last year, enlisted the services of psychologist Henning Gericke, who has also been involved with the national rugby and football teams. de Villiers said the cricket squad "does not need more psychologists and are focusing on the small things and not worried about that [failing under pressure] at all".

Mindset is being talked up as the most important thing for South Africa as they attempt to win the World Cup for the first time. It's the most cited reason for the talented team's inability to bring home ICC silverware since the ICC Knockout in 1998. The pressure on the current lot is less than what it has been in previous years, and fans believe their team has overcome the choking syndrome.

"We've shown recently that we can play in big situations and under pressure," de Villiers said at the team's open media session. "We are not focusing on what happened in the past. We have a different look now. In recent times we have been the opposite of chokers. ICC tournaments are different, there is pressure in the knockouts but we will be ready for it."

Part of that preparation has involved a long, hard look at whether they've been too rigid in their approach in the past. South Africa have often come across as a formulaic team that does well as long as things go to plan. "We are a very structured team and I don't think we should try to change that," Colin Ingram said. "We've been able to win a few games in tight situations but up to now we have not played a perfect series yet. If we polish what we achieved in those games, we will be able to do that."

South Africa came from 2-1 down to win the recent five-match ODI series against India, although they lost the two matches that went down to the wire. Prior to that, they beat Pakistan 3-2 in another series that went to the decider. Although South Africa didn't win the close matches, they were able to emerge victorious in two tense series. There were some suggestions that a looser style of play, sprinkled with some element of surprise, could help South Africa cross the line in tight situations. de Villiers, though, thinks there is enough extravagance in the side to overcome pressure this time. "We have more than enough flair, I don't want us to be the unpredictable side of the tournament and I think we are at the level where we can read situations and adapt."

This World Cup will be all about adjustment for de Villiers, who will be playing as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the first time in a major tournament. "It will be physically challenging for me, but it's for the good of the team and I have been preparing well," de Villiers said of the added responsibility. The decision to use him as the keeper led to the axing of Mark Boucher, and it deprived the South African field of its best fielder. With the inclusion of Morne van Wyk in the squad, they have been some calls for him to keep instead of de Villiers.

The subcontinent is a particularly tough place for wicketkeepers because of the inconsistent bounce and the fact that the ball keeps low, but de Villiers insists he is ready for the challenge. "It's going to be tough for all the keepers," he said. "I've seen local keepers do make mistakes too. We just have to remember that when we let through a bye, it's not the end of the world."

de Villiers will also have to stand up to a selection of spinners that South Africa have brought along with them, including Imran Tahir, whom he has never kept to in a match situation. Instead of being concerned, de Villiers is excited about the prospect. "We've brought the most spinners we've ever had a in a squad and I think we will achieve a lot," he said.

With the World Cup buzz slowly catching on, South Africa are doing their best to keep the pressure away. de Villiers, in particular, was far more stoic and defensive than usual as the campaign nears kick-off. He said this World Cup will be remembered for "the strongest team culture" and, in presenting a united front against pressure, South Africa are trying to be that.