Quinton de Kock has played down South Africa’s prospects in the upcoming Champions Trophy, saying that the Proteas just want to do their best.

Despite the Proteas winning 14 of their last 16 ODI matches highlighted by series-whitewashes against both Australia and Sri Lanka, the South Africa Player of the Year insists on downplaying his side’s chances.

Add to this the fact that the Proteas have the No 1 ODI bowler in the world at their disposal in Imran Tahir and it becomes increasingly more difficult to view the Proteas as anything less than front-runners.

‘The Proteas have always been seen as favourites when they go into big tournaments. This time we don’t want to be that. We just want to be that team who go there and do our best’, he told Times Media.

Tahir echoed his teammate’s sentiments by saying that although the side is hoping to do well and may even be installed as favourites, the prudent thing to do is approach the tournament game-by-game.

‘People can say we’re going to win, but we hear that at every ICC (International Cricket Council) tournament’, Tahir said.

‘So we’re just going to take it game by game and not get too ahead of ourselves.’

A victory for the Proteas in the global showpiece may help to finally shake off the unwanted ‘Chokers’ tag which the team has carried in recent years.

South Africa will be seeking their first win in the tournament since the 1998 edition in Bangladesh.

The Proteas begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on 3 June at The Oval.