South Africa has not enjoyed the best of times at world tournaments, so much so that they now carry the unwanted label of “chokers” every time they set foot at a meaningful tournament.

    The Proteas only title came in 1998, when they won the inaugural Champions Trophy, while the rest of their tournament record is littered with shattered dreams.

    However, the “chokers” tag is something that the South Africans want to get rid of and they head to the ICC World Twenty20 in West Indies with a squad that is quite capable of walking off with the spoils.

    South Africa’s biggest problem may be trying to settle on the right combination to take to the field of battle with.

    Captain Graeme Smith is assured of his place at the top of the order but questions remain as to who the right man to partner him is.

    The big-hitting Loots Bosman has performed the role with aplomb in recent times, as evidenced by his brutal knock of 94 off 45 balls against England in November last year.

    However, all-rounder Jacques Kallis enjoyed a superb Indian Premier League (IPL) while opening the batting for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

    Whatever solution Smith and coach Corrie van Zyl come up with they will be confident that the rest of the batting line-up is capable of tearing any bowling attack apart.

    A potential middle-order of AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Herschelle Gibbs is a formidable one while the hitting capabilities of Mark Boucher and Albie Morkel have been well chronicled.

    The bowling attack is no less impressive and will be spearheaded by the in-form speedster Dale Steyn.

    Steyn showed at the IPL that his T20 skills have come on in leaps and bounds and he now gives South Africa a legitimate option during the “death” overs at the end of an innings.

    It is an area that South Africa have struggled with recently but the emergence of seamer Juan “Rusty” Theron, the only debutant in the squad, and the reliable swing bowler Charl Langeveldt means that Smith has plenty of options to conjure with.

    South Africa is just as blessed in the spin department where Smith is able to call on either off-spinner Johan Botha or left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe.

    It would not come as a massive surprise if both men were included in the starting XI.

    The last time South Africa took part in the World Twenty20 they bowed out in the semi-finals to the eventual champions Pakistan.

    This year’s edition sees the Proteas take on India and Afghanistan in their group games which should see South Africa advance to the Super Eight stage with relative ease.

    Graeme Smith’s men will be confident that 2010 will be the year when they eventually rid themselves of their unwanted tag as the team that freezes on the big stage.