'Kallis in RCB colours a big blow for Warriors'

Star all-rounder Jacques Kallis not playing for Warriors is a huge loss but the side still have enough depth in batting and bowling to go all the way through in next month's Champions League Twenty20, feels all-rounder Johan Botha.

"Kallis not playing for us is a huge loss. He is such a big player, probably one of the greatest players of all time. But we have very good players in the side and we are ready for the tournament. Our target is to reach the semi-finals and any side can win the tournament from then on," Botha said.

"We have to start well and win at least two out of the four group matches to reach the semi-finals," he added.

Botha said his side, the domestic Twenty20 champions, are to pick up steam as some players are touring while others taking time after a hectic season.

"It is a bit slow now with not much cricket. We are a bit disjointed now. Some guys are in Australia for the Emerging Players Tournament, the national players like Mark Boucher are in bad shape after their hectic season.

"We have not started training together and we are meeting on August 23 and from then on things will pick up," said the 28-year-old all-rounder.

Botha, who played for Rajasthan Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, said the IPL teams would be at a disadvantage considering less crowd support for them.

"The younger players will be new to South African conditions. It will be interesting to see how the pitches will behave. We have never played at this time of the year. I guess it will be slow with the moisture around and there will be swing. We are playing at home ground is a positive factor. The crowd will be great and that will be the advantage.

"IPL II was played in South Africa. So the senior and experienced players should not have much problem. But IPL teams will have younger players and they will find it a bit difficult playing here so that is their (IPL teams') disadvantage," he said.

Asked about the difference of standard between IPL and Champions League Twenty20, Botha said, "It is pretty close. IPL teams have foreign players they can play four. Other international sides are the same they have the international players and some youngsters. So, it is pretty close."