Harris - plans to be a threat (Getty Images).

By Brenden Nel, PA International, East London.

South Africa's cricketers, already under intense pressure from a fanatical host nation, can take a major step towards the Super Sixes when they meet Canada at Buffalo Park on Thursday.

Shaun Pollock's side need a clinical victory and, on paper at least, minnows Canada should pose little danger.

The did not even manage to make 40 against Sri Lanka last week, and also struggled against the West Indies despite John Davison producing the fastest century in World Cup history.

South Africa's best hope is to skittle them out early and score the runs as quickly as possible, putting themselves in a strong position for the last game against Sri Lanka.

Kenya's victory over Sri Lanka on Monday has thrown the group into disarray - any one of five sides can still qualify for the Super Sixes.

Canadian captain Joseph Harris warned the Proteas that the tournament was far from over for his side.

"We want to be competitive and we want to put up a good fight against South Africa," he said.

"You never know the results in the game of cricket - if we can do a good job and post a good target and then defend it well, anything can happen.

"We're not here on holiday."

Canada are unlikely to cause an upset of Kenyan proportions, but just posting a respectable score and bowling tightly will cause the South Africans headaches enough.