Paarl: Opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs hit a century as South Africa cruised to a seven-wicket win over the Boland provincial team in a World Cup warm-up match at Boland Park on Tuesday.

It was an improved performance by South Africa, which lost by seven wickets against Western Province on Saturday.

All 15 of South Africa's World Cup squad were in action, with Boland fielding Lance Klusener, Robin Peterson, Charl Langeveldt and Makhaya Ntini. Also in the Boland side was Western Province batsman Graeme Smith.

Smith hit 57 as he and Chad Baxter gave Boland a good start, putting on 95 for the first wicket in 17 overs. Smith was stumped in left-arm spinner Nicky Boje's first over and the Boland innings subsided to 205 for nine against steady bowling. Boje took two for 16 in 10 overs.

South Africa lost an early wicket when Langeveldt dismissed Gary Kirsten for four but Gibbs shared stands of 68 with Boeta Dippenaar (25) and 81 with Jacques Kallis (43 not out) before retiring when he reached 100 off 116 balls.

Kallis, who suffered a badly bruised big left toe at nets on Sunday, batted with a runner. He did not bowl and only fielded for the first few overs of the Boland innings, standing at slip.

Copyright AFP 2001

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