THEY are the current holders of the World Rugby Classic crown and now South Africa will try to claim the 20-20 World Cricket Classic title when play in the inaugural tournament which starts at the National Sports Centre on Sunday.

And one man believes the South Africans can indeed beat out the likes of England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, the West Indies, India, Australia and Bermuda to capture the very first Classic crown.

Taking his hat off for a moment as the chief executive of the Get fit Foundation ? the English charity behind the event ? Keith Pont said this week: "I think South Africa are going to be hard to beat. All the teams have told me that they really want to win the 20-20 World Cricket Classic but I believe that South Africa will have something a little extra."

Pont should know what he is talking about as the Englishman was an all-rounder for the county club Essex and has played against some of the best players in the world ? including many who are journeying to Bermuda for the Classic.

"There are some big names coming here," he said.

On picking South Africa to win, Pont said: "To tell you the truth it is difficult to pick someone ? I keep changing my picks but I do like South Africa. They have Gary Kirsten who really knows what it is all about and he has only recently finished playing first class cricket. I mean Kirsten has scored over 7,000 Test runs and over 6,000 one-day international runs."

In fact Kirsten's record of 7,289 Test runs and 6,798 one-day international runs are the highest aggregates by a South African in either form of the game.

And while there are the superstars coming to Bermuda to play the Classic, Pont said there are also some players who may have only played three or four Tests and one day internationals for their country but who will be "hungry" to show what they can do.

And Pont said South Africa's manager Clive Rice will make sure his players are prepared.

"He is a typical South African ? hard as nails and he can't stand losing to anyone. When he comes here he will drill his troops ? that I can assure you of that. He will want to come in here and walk away with that trophy. I can promise you there will be some very good contests."

Some in the South African side, like Rice, played in the apartheid era when the country was isolated in sport.

"That will make them more hungry to do something here. It was tough on them ? like nearly all sportsmen they like to put politics to one side and for those who played in that era it was a real challenge for them to get opposition."

One superstar who also played during the sporting isolation of South Africa who will be coming to Bermuda ? but who will not be playing ? is legend Barry Richards who will be the guest speaker during the gala dinner next Thursday evening.

"I played against him and got him out once! To me he was the best batsman ever along with the other Richards, Viv. His style was amazing and he was starved from playing at the highest level but in the four Test matches that he did play his average was 72. Outside of (Don) Bradman there is no one with a higher average."

Of his home side England, Pont said: "They have got some people who are experienced in the 20-20 format ? people like Graham Lloyd and Phil Defreitas and that experience will count for a lot. In end it is all going to be close."

Leading up to the tournament Pont has been on the phone constantly talking to managers and players ? many who he knows very well from his playing days.

"I just hope the weather is nice ? if not I am going to sue everyone in Bermuda!" he laughed.

"Overall I am delighted with the way things have been going ? yes there have been some hiccups but the great thing is that when people arrive on Sunday (for the first game and opening ceremonies) they will not see the challenges we have been faced with. Fortunately everyone has worked very, very hard. It takes a lot of co-ordination when you have seven countries and 84 players, managers and umpires."

Of the recent announcement that the ICC will have a 20-20 World Cup, Pont said: "I knew it would come about but what amazed me is that it did so quickly. Big organisations like the ICC tend to move very, very slowly. And although they have said that the 20-20 Classic in Bermuda had nothing to do with them announcing a 20-20 World Cup, I think we helped to push it on the agenda ? they won't say that of course but that is what I believe. What we were doing in Bermuda is going to lead the way. I feel very proud of Bermuda.

"Cricket around the world is in need of a lift. If you look at some of the Test matches played around the world, the crowds have not been very big at all ? even with some of the great sides playing although Australia against England will always draw them in. But there comes a point where the game needs something and that something is 20-20. There are new spectators out there ? women, mums and kids and with the addition of some of the innovations that come with 20-20 you offer them an entertainment package for the cost of the ticket ? that is what we are trying to do. The world needs to recognise that."

Bermuda's World Cup side can only benefit from competing in the Classic, said Pont.

"This tournament and the Stanford tournament can only help Bermuda because when they play in the World Cup proper they will have learned from playing in these tournaments. Yes they are going to have a real fight on their hands next year but playing these tournaments will be to their advantage."

Last night TV and radio technicians and the entertainers began arriving and the players and officials arrive on Saturday night.

The first match on Sunday will be between Bermuda and the West Indies. Yesterday Bermuda named their team. Led by captain Irving Romaine, the team consisted of Janeiro Tucker, Dean Minors, Dwayne Leverock, Kevin Hurdle, Lionel Cann, Hasan Durham, Kwame Tucker, Azeem Pitcher, Treadwell Gibbons Jnr., Daniel Morgan, Stephen Bremar Jnr., Saleem Mukuddem and Ryan Steede.

Officials are manager El James, coach Gus Logie, physiotherapist, Craig Brown and Clay Smith as national captain.

The players are expected to train at Southampton Rangers tonight at 5 p.m. They will have just flown in from Trinidad where they have been on a 10-day training exercise which coach Logie called "successful".

The Bermuda vs West Indies match starts at the National Sports Centre at 2 p.m. on Sunday and is followed by England against India at 5 p.m.

The tournament continues throughout the week with the final being staged next Saturday at 5.30 p.m.