Durban - Springbok vice captain Victor Matfield has sent a message of support to the Proteas in the build-up to the ICC Cricket World Cup.
Matfield was at the official Proteas World Cup send-off event in Johannesburg to present cricket captain Graeme Smith with a good luck banner for the team to take to India.
The South African lock said: "2010 was a good year for our country, but let's make 2011 an even better year by doing the double."
The Boks will themselves defend their World Cup title later this year in New Zealand.
The Proteas met with President Jacob Zuma who urged the team to win the tournament for former leader Nelson Mandela.
Smith said the team was touched by the Springboks' support. "We really appreciate the support and we look forward to returning the favour by wearing the Springbok jersey in their support when the Rugby World Cup takes place."
The send-off event also included the launch of the official Proteas World Cup kit, with the unveiling of Adidas as the new official sportswear supplier to all South African national teams in a three-year agreement with Cricket SA.
"Adidas is a leader in technology and innovation and their input will be hugely beneficial in supporting the South African Cricket teams. We are enthusiastic about the partnership and feel sure that our supporters will be delighted with the design of the new kits," said Cricket South Africa CEO, Gerald Majola.
South Africa will play the West Indies in their first World Cup match on 24 February. The Proteas, in group B, will play round-robin matches against India, West Indies, Netherlands, England, Bangladesh and Ireland.
