Your heart just breaks when you think about South Africa at the World Cup. They're talented; they're likable; they've got a feel-good story; and nine times out of ten, you'd back them to win. That other one time has always happened at the World Cup, and South Africa will look at the 2011 tournament to break a jinx that has haunted them since their return to international cricket in 1991.

South Africa held the edge over India in their just-concluded bilateral series, and this momentum will help them as they head to the subcontinent. Once there, though, it's going to be a whole different ball game, and South Africa will remember that when they toured India in 2009-2010, it was India who held the edge. Still, South Africa have long been one of the best teams in the world, and playing in foreign conditions or not, they will back themselves to go far in the World Cup. How far they go is another question entirely.

On paper, South Africa are the team to beat in the World Cup. Graeme Smith, AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla tear through bowling attacks like a whale going through a school of plankton. Jacques Kallis remains the best allrounder in the world today. Subcontinent wickets or no, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel are the best new-ball pair in the game, and can easily shatter a batting lineup before Robin Peterson (and debutant Imran Tahir) are called on to make the most of the turning pitches. Jean-Paul Duminy's star has fallen since his storming debut, and he might - might - be the only weakness in an otherwise impenetrable combination. Herschelle Gibbs' time may have passed, but his indomitable presence will surely be missed.

South Africa vie with India for being the strongest team in Group B. They should have no problem dealing with Ireland and the Netherlands, and it's hard to imagine the West Indies overcoming them (especially after drubbing them 5-0 in 2010). England might pose a challenge, but a spate of injuries and wear and tear after a tough Australian tour is not the ideal preparation for facing a team like South Africa. India vs. South Africa is scheduled for March 12th, and the only thing that could influence that match are how the two teams performed in the games before it. Otherwise, it's a case of your immovable object meeting your irresistible force.

In 1992, they fell victim to a cruel rain rule that robbed them of a finals berth. In 1996, they peaked too early and were eliminated by a Brian Lara masterclass. Then came Edgbaston in 1999 and the beginning of the "chokers" tag - which, despite all their talents and their victories, South Africa have never been able to shake. In 2003 was the Duckworth/Lewis miscalculation, which sent them home early from their own tournament, and they were decimated by the Australian machine in 2007. A new crop of South Africans will go to India to do what their heroes and mentors came so close to doing so many times, but they will have the curse of history to beat  first.