South Africa boost World Cup hopes

Shaun Pollock receives the VB trophy

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming tipped South Africa as the team to beat at next year's World Cup following his side's 2-0 defeat in the best-of-three VB Series final.

Click here for scorecard

His side were not able to match the all-round efficiency of Shaun Pollock's side, who have now won 17 of their last 18 one-day matches against the Kiwis.

"A lot can happen in 12 months, but at this stage they're the form horse. They play a very good style of cricket and they're a well-rounded team," said Fleming.

The Kiwis ran out of steam

South Africa will have home advantage for the World Cup, but will be conscious that no host nation has yet lifted the trophy - although Sri Lanka were co-hosts in 1996, the final was played in Pakistan.

But their victory was all the sweeter as it came after a 3-0 thrashing by Australia in the Test series which preceded the VB competition.

"I think it was awesome of the guys to turn things around the way they did after the Tests.

"It's all about how you deal with adversity and we showed planety of character by the way we fought back," said Pollock.

"The turning point came after that weekend when we lost three games in four days.

"We went to Adelaide and in team discussions I asked everyone to stand up and be counted and the guys have done that in the latter part of the one-day series and the finals."

Having squeezed into the final at the expense of hosts Australia, who they beat three times in four games, New Zealand were disappointed not to take the final into a third and deciding match.

Bond's emergence was a consolation

"I guess, if you look at the tournament, our energies were all spent in the first half and then we just made mistakes at crucial times.

"As we went on we could not really maintain momentum. A couple of injuries and couple of poor performances and things got on top of us.

"If you look back at the tour you can say we developed, and we'll be a good team in 12 months," Fleming added.

New Zealand had consolation in fast bowler Shane Bond's selection of Player of the Tournament after taking 21 wickets.

They now return home for one-day and Test series against England, while South Africa try to gain revenge against Australia.