South Africa expect to face an onslaught

``We expect them to come at us very hard,'' said South African coach Bob Woolmer, whose team hold a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

``The last thing we will do is underestimate them. We will not be fooled by our position in the series. We played the better cricket in the first two Tests, but the wins were not achieved easily. It was very tough cricket.''

Although veteran West Indies fast bowlers Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose have been outstanding, the batsmen have yet to come to terms with the South African pace attack spearheaded by Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.

World record holder and captain Brian Lara, vice-captain Carl Hooper and Shivnarine Chanderpaul have all made centuries in provincial games but have not shown their best form in the Test matches.

The Kingsmead pitch is expected to provide much better batting conditions than Johannesburg or Port Elizabeth. Errol Stewart, captain of the local KwaZulu-Natal team, says the pitches for the two most recent provincial matches were ``absolute beauties''.

He said: ``What you get at Kingsmead is a lively first morning in which there is a fair bit for the bowlers. But after that, and of course it does depend on the weather, you get beautiful batting conditions.''

The West Indies are expected to juggle their batting resources, with a possible move up the order to number three for left-hander Chanderpaul, who made 182 against South Africa A at Pietermaritzburg earlier in the week.

Opener Philo Wallace is expected to return after recovering from glandular fever, while reserve wicketkeeper Junior Murray may get a game as a batsman.

South Africa's only decision will be whether to use off-spinner Pat Symcox or left-armer Paul Adams, with Symcox's gritty batting and steady bowling expected to get the nod.

The South African team only assembled at midday Thursday after six of the players were involved in day-night provincial matches on Wednesday.

Openers Gary Kirsten and Herschelle Gibbs, who both failed in Port Elizabeth, had a confidence boost when they made half-centuries for Western Province against Gauteng in Cape Town.

Woolmer said he was not worried by the late arrival of many of his players. ``We normally only get together two days before a game,'' he said. ``We will be well prepared.''

The South African team will practise on Friday before having a team Christmas lunch.

Lara said he is demanding a better performance from the tourists.

``We have two great fast bowlers who are performing well but cricket requires a team effort from all 11 players,'' he said.

The squads:

South Africa (from): Hansie Cronje (captain), Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Jonty Rhodes, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, David Terbrugge, Paul Adams.

West Indies (from): Brian Lara (captain), Clayton Lambert, Philo Wallace, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Stuart Williams, Junior Murray, Ridley Jacobs, Rawl Lewis, Nixon McLean, Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh, Franklyn Rose, Floyd Reifer, Darren Ganga, Mervyn Dillon.

Umpires: David Orchard (SA), Russel Tiffin (Zimbabwe)