ICC World Cup 2015: Despite Loss Against India and Pakistan, Proteas Captain Says South Africa are 'the best team in the tournament'

South Africa have been one of the favourites for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, but they have not justified their favourite tag as they have lost two key games against Pakistan and India in the round robin stages.

Teams in the competition are still aware of the threat they possess, for they comprise a number of star players such as AB de Villiers, David Miller, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel just to name a few.

South African skipper, de Villiers is confident about his team's chances in the competition and also feels that the Proteas will win the competition.

"I 100% believe we are the best team in the tournament here," de Villiers said, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo.

"Those two losses in the group stage did hurt us a bit but we are past that now. We know where we could have won those games and we weren't that far off."

"We know we are very close... three games away from taking that World Cup home."

It may be a bold statement from the South African captain, but he knows that if their star players click, there is no force in world cricket, which can stop them. 

But having said that, de Villiers is aware of the task that lies ahead with teams such as Australia, New Zealand and India in fine form, who have been deemed favourites.

South Africa have been impressive with the bat in the tournament, but they have not been consistent, which seems to be a major worry in both their batting as well as the bowling department.

"The most important game is tomorrow but we know we are not far off so it's important to be positive and still believe we are the best."

South Africa is expected to win their next game against UAE tomorrow in a convincing manner and progress into the knockout stages finishing second in the group with India topping the pool.

If they do so, the Porteas would be pitted against Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals, which would be a huge game for South Africa.

The Lankan side have looked impressive in the tournament as well, and have picked up their game of late, but they have also lost twice in the competition to Australia and New Zealand.

But if Bangaldesh upset New Zealand in their next fixture, South Africa will have to face Bangladesh in the quarters.