Johannesburg, Jan 8: AB De Villiers will lead the South Africa squad to Australia and New Zealand next month for the Cricket World Cup. Announcing the team on Wednesday, Cricket South Africa (CSA) selection committee convener Andrew Hudson said the choices had been based on the performance of players over the past year. []

"We have also stayed true to our policy of consistency and reward for good performances that has enabled us to build up a good record over the past 12 months," Hudson said. [India's squad for WC announced]

"The fact that most of these series have been played away from home has provided excellent preparation as well." Hudson highlighted that the squad included eight players with previous World Cup experience - De Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn and Imran Tahir.

#CSAnews #BREAKINGNews @ABdeVilliers17 leads full strength Proteas to @cricketworldcup http://t.co/E68pmS181c pic.twitter.com/MpnKurm43y

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) January 7, 2015

"So we feel we have a nice blend of experience of major knock-out tournaments plus the freshness that will come from the relative newcomers," he said.

Hudson said Quinton de Kock was the only injury concern at the moment. The medical committee has backed his inclusion in the squad at this stage so there is confidence that he will be ready for the tournament, the former player said.

"The selectors have also identified a group of standby players in the event of injury replacements being needed but these will not be named at this stage," Hudson added.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR WC 2015:

AB de Villiers (captain), Hashim Amla, Kyle Abbott, Farhaan Behardien, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Aaron Phangiso, Vernon Philander, Rilee Rossouw, Dale Steyn.

SOUTH AFRICA'S ITINERARY AT WC 2015:

vs Zimbabwe (Feb 15), vs India (Feb 21), vs West Indies (Feb 27), vs Ireland (Mar 3), vs Pakistan (Mar 7), vs UAE (Mar 12)

PTI