Ireland's South African-born coach Adrian Birrell put aside national allegiance to admit he thinks Graeme Smith's Proteas have the heads and the hearts to win a first World Cup crown.
Birrell, speaking after watching South Africa cruise past his Irish team by seven wickets in the Super Eights on Tuesday, saw enough to convince him that his compatriots can land the title.
"I may be biased because they are my team, but they are a quality side and have played a great brand of one-day cricket," said Birrell, who played for and coached Eastern Province before taking over as Ireland coach in 2003.
"It will all depend on their form in the coming games. If South Africa peak at the right time and play hard, quality matches they can go all the way. They have got every base covered and they do every discipline very well," he said.
South Africa's second Super Eights win elevated them to fourth place in the Super Eights table.
While they ponder their chances of becoming champions, Ireland's main concern was to take a break.
"The guys looked jaded against England but were sharp in the South Africa game," Birrell said.
"We deserve some rest now. We want to recharge the batteries and six days' rest will do us some good," he said.
Ireland made a fighting 158-8 in Tuesday's game which was interrupted by rain and reduced to 35-overs-a-side.
They dismissed South Africa opener AB de Villiers quickly before Jacques Kallis (66 not out), aided by an unbeaten 47 by Ashwell Prince and Graeme Smith's 41, rescued the situation.
Ireland skipper Trent Johnston believes his team has not been disgraced in the Super Eights, where they have also been beaten by England.
"We had chances in both games. We had our chances against Kallis and you have to take them against a batsman like him," said Johnston, who dropped one the two catches that Kallis allowed.
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