'This is the best send-off ever'

Thousands of people gathered at the piazza of a popular shopping complex in Johannesburg for South Africa's World Cup send-off. In addition to a moving rendition of the national anthem sung by Grammy Award winners, the Soweto Gospel Choir, this is some of what they heard:

"Greatness. We're all capable of it.

This is the moment where you find out who you really are.

Beyond the ball lies your destiny.

It's time for you to look within yourselves and what you will realise is that you are more powerful than you can ever begin to imagine.

You have to hate losing more than you love winning.

You have to control the situation, don't let the situation control you.

Be true to the game and the game will be true to you.

Success is often the result of not being afraid of accomplishing anything you want to because anything is possible."
Graeme Smith, Shaun Pollock and Kepler Wessels, South Africa's previous World Cup captains, in a television advertisement which aired four times during the two-hour function

"I am very scared because I get the feeling the Proteas are going to win the World Cup."
John Robbie, former Ireland and South Africa rugby international, who is now a morning talk show host on radio

"The closest we came was 1999 and I think after that is now. We've got the make-up, the ingredients of a team that is totally all-round. If they all perform to their true potential and skill, they will win."
Goolam Rajah, South Africa's team manager for 20 years after readmission, who went to five World Cups with the team between 1992 and 2007. He recalled seeing grown men cry in 1999

"Forget about the final but win each and every game until the end of the tournament. You represent more than 50 million hearts. These hearts deserve to be given hope."
Chris Nenzani, Cricket South Africa president

"Every World Cup has expectation. It's nice to know we've got a quality side going there. We are confident. We understand the expectation. We want to go there and do well."
Faf du Plessis

"I am part of history. It's just about going down and giving it horns."
Wayne Parnell

"We have always had a lot of support but in the last two months we can feel a support we've never experienced before. I cannot guarantee to you the cup but we can guarantee you we will fight for every single inch. We will fight for every run, for every wicket. We owe a fight out there. To my boys: it's not going to be easy. We are going to have to overcome a few obstacles. Forever we will keep the fire burning."
AB de Villiers

"I couldn't fall asleep last night. I was so excited. I'm ready to knock these guys out. I'm extremely nervous, extremely excited. We are going to do everything we can. We will fight 'til the very end."
Dale Steyn

"We've got a reputation as one of the best bowling attacks in the world. It's important for us to put that aside and really focus on doing well."
Morne Morkel

"This is the best send-off ever. The guys can feel the fire, the enthusiasm, the energy."
Charl Langeveldt, who played at the 2007 World Cup and is now a consultant to the national team

"This team is primed to do something special. I think they are ready to do it. It's going to be a collective effort."
Robin Peterson, South Africa's highest wicket-taker at the 2011 World Cup

"We got it right. We will only be judged after the World Cup but we think we've got it right."
Shafiek Abrahams, one of South Africa's four selectors

"We're excited to get on that plane now. It's a long tournament. A lot has to happen before we get to the knockout stages. All our focus is on the first game. We're looking for some big fish while we're over there."
Russell Domingo slips in a pun albeit unintentionally

"You represent the soul of this nation. Sport is not a useless business. We call it the RDP of the soul - reconstruction and development program of the soul. Please win it for us. South Africans are accustomed to winning because we are the children of warriors. Nelson Mandela. Kepler Wessels.

We don't want you in the World Cup to add numbers and just become a bunch of losers. You are not going to be playing with robots, you are playing with people. You are the special ones. You are the chosen ones. It does not mean you are irreplaceable but all of you are capable of doing the duty for us.

Forget about 1992. Forget about what happened in Bangladesh. When Allan Donald and Lance Klusener could not get us over the line [sic]. To AB and your bunch of winners: you are not playing against cows. You are not playing against donkeys. Don't undermine any of them. Go and win it for us. Winning is a statement of courage. We are releasing you to go and win it for South Africa. Bliksem Moer Hulle (Beat them/Smash them up)."

No Pressure.