The Proteas are geared for a titanic battle when they face Australia in Lucknow on Thursday in the second game of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

The Proteas take momentum into the game following their record-breaking 102-run against Sri Lanka on Saturday in Delhi.

The Proteas are oozing with confidence following a good start to their season with the One-Day International series win against Australia in South Africa last month.

They have also hinted that they may be exploring the spinning option today, on a wicket generally friendly to spin.

The Proteas batting department in particular has made a big step-up this season and numerous players have chipped with centuries in recent times.

A win be important for both teams, especially taking the latter stages of the World Cup into account.

There is certainly a big rivalry between the Proteas and Australia and games between the old foe tend to be humdingers.

Quinton de Kock - Cricinfo

Quinton de Kock who is playing in his last 50-over World Cup said there is always something about games against the Aussies.

“I think it's just because you're playing against such a strong team,” said the in-form batter.

“I don't think it's any different from playing Australia to any other team because it's a World Cup and you can't take any games for granted.

“The Australians and us have always had a great history, a good competitive background, so yeah, I think that's just what it is.

“I think both teams are going to come out fighting tomorrow, and whoever makes the right choices under pressure will be the stronger team at the end of the day.”

Meanwhile, in the Australian camp, they will be without the batter Travis Head who is still recovering from a fractured hand he sustained in South Africa. He’ll only be going for scans today, before receiving the all-clear to play.

The Australians will be under pressure after their six-wicket defeat to India on Sunday, however, that certainly doesn’t take away from their quality.

Pat Cummins - Cricinfo

The Aussie skipper and seamer, Pat Cummins, said it’s all about finding a way to control the middle overs with bat and ball.

“It's no secret that period of the game seems to be the most important in in one day cricket and it's the same for our bowling group we've got to try and find ways to create wickets - it's tough sometimes to force something in the middle if there's a partnership on.

That's been much the same for the batters. How do we create partnerships? If they're bowling well, how do we shift the pressure back onto their bowlers and try and force their hand to make some changes?

“But yeah, I think it's a real delicate balance in one-day cricket of not taking huge risks, but it's not like Test cricket where you can wait it out. You have to keep the run rate ticking over.”

Play in Lucknow is scheduled to get underway at 10:30.

Virat Kohli - Cricinfo

In Wednesday's game, India recorded their second victory of the World Cup with a crushing 8-wicket win over Afghanistan in Delhi.

Afghanistan scored 272/8 in their allotted 50-overs, and thanks to 131 off 84 balls by the captain, Rohit Sharma, and 55 not out by Virat Kohli, India chased down the target with 15-overs to spare.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport