SA team ready for Davis cup clash

After a good build-up in training this week, South African captain Christo van Rensburg is confident his team are ready for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Lebanon this weekend.

At the draw held on Friday, it was determined that the SA team's No 2 player Alec Beckley would face Benjamin Hassan in the first singles match on Saturday, while SA No. 1 Philip Henning is set to meet Hady Habib.

In the doubles rubber, Henning and Beckley are up against Mustapha El Natour and Fadi Bidan, ahead of the reverse singles clashes.

"The players have been here since Saturday, and we are really happy with how things are going," Van Rensburg said after the draw.

"It has been very hot here in Egypt but we are looking forward to this tie. All the preparations went well, and now the players are just resting and recovering after five really good days of training."

The tie, which is expected to be played in warm conditions, will be held on outdoor clay courts at a neutral venue in Cairo, Egypt (Palm Hill Sports Club) due to safety and security concerns in Lebanon.

The winning team will compete in the World Group I playoffs next year, while the losing side will be relegated to the World Group II playoffs.