NZ one of the World Cup favourites - de Villiers

AB de Villiers, the South Africa ODI captain, has said that New Zealand are "one of the favourites" for the 2015 World Cup. De Villiers said the combination of familiar conditions and crowd support would make New Zealand even more competitive than they usually were in the one-day format.

"I would not call them dark horses. I would say one of the favourites," de Villiers said on arrival in Auckland for a three-match ODI series. "Always a very competitive ODI team. Playing on their home grounds in their country, they'll be even more competitive. We know what they are capable of, especially playing in these kinds of conditions. They haven't won a big tournament for a while so they must be very motivated to do well. We are expecting a very competitive series.

"[They are] very used to the conditions over here in New Zealand and Australia. They will have a lot of home support with the games here, even in Australia as well. It is a short flight over there. They will have a lot of people right behind them and wanting them to do well. Haven't won a World Cup so they will be desperate to do well."

De Villiers said New Zealand would also be boosted by the probable return of Daniel Vettori, who has been battling injury concerns and hasn't played an international since the Champions Trophy in June 2013. Vettori was picked for a one-dayer against Scotland, and took 0 for 43 from ten overs, the first time he bowled that many in a game this year. De Villiers said he wasn't surprised with Vettori's comeback as New Zealand had been working to get him ready come the World Cup.

"I played in the IPL with him and that was always the plan, to have him as part of the World Cup squad," de Villiers said. "No surprises for me and I would feel very confident if I was in their team having Dan in the side. Huge amount of confidence, experience that comes into the side. He has done it before. He has got the world's best batters out before.

"From a captaincy point of view it is always nice to have a guy like that in your side, right behind you, helping you with a few moves and the thought process of how you are supposed to be moving forward as a team."