BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, 22 March 2007 — World No. 1 South Africa and New Zealand both booked their places in the World Cup Super Eights with facile wins over Scotland and Kenya respectively on Tuesday.

South Africa, powered by an opening stand of 134 in 15 overs by Graeme Smith (91) and AB de Villiers (62), raced past the Scottish total of 186-8 with seven wickets and more than 26 of their allotted 50 overs remaining.

Ross Taylor’s 85 was the centerpiece of New Zealand’s imposing 331 for seven against Kenya in their World Cup Group C match at Beausejour Cricket Ground, St. Lucia.

Kenya strung out their innings to the last over, thanks largely to a smart 71 from Ravi Shah and a dogged 42 by Thomas Odoyo, but finally crashed to a crushing 148-run defeat.

The Proteas, who recorded a 221-run victory over the Netherlands in their first game, now face reigning World Cup champions Australia in the final Group A match on Saturday.

With both heavyweights having qualified for the Super Eights with two wins from two, there remains an extra two points on offer for a win which could be crucial in the second phase of the tournament.

De Villiers, whose sharp direct-hit run-out of Scotland captain Ryan Watson was the highlight of an impressive fielding display by his side, said the Proteas were happy to have notched up a “clinical” win over the Scots.

“That was a clinical win and that’s exactly what the coach asked for,” said the 23-year-old who struck two sixes and nine fours in his knock.

“We’ve had a couple of dodgy warm-up games, it was better against the Netherlands (a 221-run win) and it was clinical today.” He was also brimming with confidence ahead of the game against Australia.

The South African team, de Villiers said, “were all playing well.”

“The bowlers are coming through nicely and we’re putting runs on the board. So we’re just enjoying ourselves and looking forward to the big game against Oz.”

In St. Lucia, Taylor helped New Zealand recover from nought for one to post the highest One-Day International total in 12 matches on the Beausejour ground, surpassing Pakistan’s 303 for six against the West Indies in 2005.

Craig McMillan (71 off 48 balls), Scott Styris (63 off 62) and captain Stephen Fleming (60 off 61) all weighed in to the limited Kenyan attack.

Shah and Odoyo offered some quality resistance when it came to Kenya’s turn to bat but the east African nation was never likely to threaten the Kiwis’ massive total, and will now play England on Saturday for the second spot in the Group and a place in the Super Eights.

New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori, who took 2-45 from his 10 overs, including a great diving return catch off Shah, said the team was happy with the two wins over England and Kenya which have guaranteed the Black Caps a place in the Super Eights.

“I’m struggling to buy a decision at the moment but the team are coming along quite nicely and it’s two out of two,” said Vettori.