Bringing the thunder Down Under - South Africa’s lightning T20 World Cup pace attack ready to unleash

Led by Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, and backed by Lungi Ngidi, Wayne Parnell and 210cm Marco Jansen, there is a case that South Africa boast the best fast bowling attack across all three formats of world cricket.

And just to back the fast-bowling battery, the third ranked T20I bowler Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj wait in the wings to break batting line-ups down with spin.

The facilities in Australia at the T20 World Cup suit South Africa to a tee, though it takes something special to stand out in a fiercely competitive tournament.

Proteas legend Dale Steyn looks at Rabada and Nortje in particular as the key, placing them in his top five quicks - alongside Mark Wood, Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi - currently featuring in the tournament Down Under.

"Rabada is the leader of the South African attack. I'm hoping South Africa can go on and win this World Cup and him doubling up with Anrich Nortje as my other fast bowler from South Africa, I think the two of them in combination are just fantastic," Steyn said.

"They've got great pace, they've got good skill especially in Australia, Rabada seems to up a level whenever he gets to Australia, so I'm looking for that competitive streak to come out of him, and the two of them can go on and help South Africa to win this World Cup."

It's not uncommon for enforcer Nortje to clock speeds well in excess of 150kph, though the level of consistency across the three formats, and under the weight of expectations in global tournaments, sets him apart.

Able to hit "Test" style lines and lengths, or finding other cunning ways to beat his opponents, Nortje is a sure selection for all three formats, and relishes in being a key cog in any Proteas mission. Alongside Rabada, the versatile Ngidi, the nous of Parnell and the unconventional angles of Jansen, Nortje feels the quicks and the injection of spin makes them unplayable on their day.

“We think we've got one of the best bowling attacks. I think the way this side has been selected and the way sort of everything has come together, everyone gives us a little bit of a different aspect. I don't think there is one bowler that's the same as other one," Nortje noted.

"We've got two left-armers, one of them is nearly 2.10 metres, and so we've got pace, we've got skill. Everyone can bowl quick as well. Everyone's 140kph-plus, so it’s definitely exciting pack to be a part of."

After the pace battery, opposition players have no easy outlet of runs, with Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi tightening the screws.

"We have arguably two of the best spinners as well, (Tabraiz) Shamsi was No.1 for a very long time (on the MRF T20I rankings)," Nortje continued.

"In general, I think we've got a really good attack and hopefully we can use the conditions to our advantage."

The impression of Nortje on observation is that the 28-year-old finds quality through clarity, both in mindsets and plans. When looking to opponents on a matchday, he's away of batting mindsets, but wants to dictate on his terms, rather than reacting in the aftermath of a flurry of shots.

"I think for us as bowlers, most of the teams nowadays, they are fearless, they go after it, especially if there's extra pace, they look to swing hard and look to come out at the bowlers," Nortje said.

"So it's just about trying to execute what we want to do whether it's going to be any team, the first team or the last team on the list."

In the build-up, there never needs to be a regimented discussion on plans given everyone is on the same page, nor a lot of work to keep a rhythm.

"I try not to overthink things the day before, maybe just try and execute one or two things and keep it very simple," Nortje said.

"Maybe I'll come out and focus on yorkers or hard lengths on the day, that's it.

"We take the optional days (training), not bowl too much or overthink things too much. Generally I try to keep it simple, maybe three or four overs and that's it the day before a game."

Again, the theme for opponents is there is no respite to the quick stuff after Rabada and Nortje, with Ngidi arguably good enough to play a leading role for every team at the event.

Speaking to the press at the SCG, Ngidi thrives in fulfilling the clear roles put together in what is a cemented bowling group.

"It really does make your job a lot easier. I think it's difficult when you have pretty much two seamers that are going to have to do everything, whereas we probably have three or four, and everyone is probably better at something than someone else," Ngidi said.

"We can always turn to someone else if things aren't going well, so it does give you that sense of calm, but it also gives you that bit of confidence that you need going into a tournament like this."

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Ngidi admitted the pace attack are "100 percent" aware of the hype surrounding the group, and only revel in belief as a result.

"For people to be able to say that about the guys we have in the changing room, it's an honour and a privilege to hear those words about the guys we have. It does give us a lot of confidence, as well," Ngidi said.

"It helps the guys walk with their heads held up high. You go out there, and obviously if people are speaking about you like that, you want to showcase what you have, so it definitely makes for a good show when we get out there."

A "good show" is a guarantee for the quicks, a Big Time ticket item in Australia and for the billions watching around the world.