South Africa and Zimbabwe will cross swords in a Super 12 T20 World Cup match in Hobart on Monday in what will be a match between African neighbours.

South Africa are obviously the favourites, with Zimbabwe having to go through the qualifiers to make it to the main round of the tournament. But it’s a T20 match and, in the shortest format of the game, upsets are more regular than in Tests and ODIs.

The Proteas will obviously draw confidence from the fact that they have never lost a T20I to the Zimbabweans.

Having said that, the Zimbabweans will have their tails up, after all, it is the first time in six years that they are appearing in an ICC event. They have no superstars, but the team is made up of quite a few promising cricketers who can take down stronger opponents on their day.

Sikander Raza will once again be the key for the Zimbabweans. The all-rounder will have to shoulder a bigger responsibility in batting as the Proteas bowling attack is quite strong. Their four-pronged pace attack of Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava, Luke Jongwe and Blessing Muzarabani will also have to make the most of the conditions to tame their superior opponents.

South Africa, on the other hand, will be worried with the form of their captain, Temba Bavuma. Though in Quinton de Kock and David Miller they have two experienced batting hands, Bavuma will have to hit form at the top of the order to give the side confidence.

There is no such worry in the Proteas’ bowling line-up though. They have a powerful battery of pacers in Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell and Anrich Nortje. Keshav Maharaj will be in charge of the spin department.

Zimbabwe have little to lose and that makes them dangerous. South Africa have a reputation to protect, they are expected to make the knockouts. The imbalance in the two teams in this case may just spice up the encounter.

Bangladesh take on The Netherlands in Monday’s first match.