Apart from Zondeki, the UCB also named opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs, pacemen Charl Langeveldt and Makhaya Ntini and left arm spinner Robin Peterson.

The promise from the UCB was made four years to South Africa's ex-sports minister, the late Steve Tshwete, by the tournament director Ali Bacher when he was UCB managing director.

Zondeki, 20, burst on to the South African domestic scene this season after two seasons of relative obscurity. He has played just 13 first class matches and made his international debut in the fifth one-day international against Sri Lanka in Bloemfontein this month.

Middle-order batsman Neil McKenzie, 27, seemed certain to play in the Cup before he was dropped from the squad to play in the Morocco Cup in August.

Since then, despite the experience he has gained in his 26 test matches and 51 one-day internationals, McKenzie has struggled to keep his place.

"It's an honour and a privilege to represent your country at the World Cup and I'm sure every one of you knows that," South Africa captain Shaun Pollock told his players after the squad was announced on Sunday.

"It will be even more so because the tournament is going to be held in our country."

Pollock promised his compatriots that the team would do their utmost to try to become the first host country to win the tournament.

"We know that all South Africans will be behind the team, and hopefully we can all celebrate at the end of it," Pollock said.

He added: "One thing I can guarantee South Africans is that we won't be giving it 120 or 130 percent - we'll be giving 150 percent to try and make sure that when the World Cup trophy lands here it doesn't leave for at least the next four years."

South Africa - Shaun Pollock (captain), Mark Boucher, Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Lance Klusener, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Jonty Rhodes, Monde Zondeki.