The South African public is glued to the World Cup. You only have to
be in the country a matter of hours to hear the chatter and
expectation. But while the host nation kicks off the ICC World
Twenty20 against West Indies tomorrow, the tournament everyone is
already talking about involves an oval ball and is taking place
thousands of miles away in France.

Rugby is still the sport in South Africa and, although the
World Cup is running parallel the Twenty20, it won't be a contest over
which will draw most attention. The cricket will be done and dusted by
the time events in Europe really get interesting, but the clash
between the Springboks and England on Friday is whipping up a frenzy
in these parts.

"Your boys played well," grinned the man holding my name-board at the
airport, with a clear smirk on his face in reference to England's
28-10 win over USA, which was anything but inspiring. Then, in a master
of understatement, said: "It's a big one on Friday."

When Jonny Wilkinson kicked England to victory at Sydney four years
ago the cricket team was in Sri Lanka. The time difference meant they
weren't playing and the squad huddled around a TV in their hotel and
roared every kick. This time they will have a prior engagement to deal
with first, against none other than their fiercest rivals.

England-Australia in cricket is a clash as eagerly awaited as
England-South Africa in rugby, even when it's played over 20 overs.
However, a superb piece of planning (or good fortune) means the
Twenty20 encounter is due to run between 2pm-5pm (South African time)
which should give everyone plenty of time to find a suitable venue
before the 8pm kick-off in France. It will be an occasion when
everyone will agree that a 'quick game is a good game'.