South Africa skipper Graeme Smith is wary of Scotland after Holland served up a shock result by getting the better of England.

The South Africa captain was watching on Friday night as Holland opened proceedings with an astonishing victory over England at Lord's, and will have been a very interested observer too of Scotland's near miss against New Zealand in a match shortened by rain to just seven overs a side at The Oval.

Smith and Co. have their chance at the same venue on Sunday to confirm their world standing against Gavin Hamilton's competition minnows.

They will do so as strong favourites. But that was a status which proved no guarantee for England at the home of cricket - and Smith will be taking nothing for granted against the Scots.

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Recalling England's four-wicket, last-ball defeat, he said: "A performance like that is always a friendly reminder that, if you don't control the small things, it comes back to bite you.

"It is a reminder for our boys that we must be ready - you must be ready, whoever you are up against."

Even so, Smith knows he has every reason to expect South Africa to get their tournament off to a winning start - against a country who will be eliminated if they lose.

"We are a talented team and a strong team and should be able to play to a higher level than Scotland. We have to make sure we do that," he prescribes.

Opening batsman Smith has encouraging personal memories of South Africa's last match against Scotland - a seven-wicket victory in St Kitts at the 2007 World Cup, with more than half their overs unused and 91 runs for the captain.

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"If we can perform at that level - no disrespect to Scotland - they should not be able to challenge us," he believes.

Smith acknowledges South Africa should be setting their targets high over the next two weeks - but is well aware too they must not get ahead of themselves.

"Obviously you want to get into the Super Eights, semi-finals, final - but our first challenge is Scotland," he warns.

"We saw last night how unpredictable this game can be, and we will be making sure we play to our potential."

Dutch delight

As for England's shock setback against the Netherlands, Smith identified a heartening turn of events for world cricket - and an acid test to come for the hosts, who can almost certainly still progress by beating Pakistan at The Oval on Sunday.

"That result is great for the game," he believes.

"It is wonderful to see how much it meant to the Dutch boys. I enjoyed seeing the looks on their faces - I'm just glad it wasn't me having to give the after-match press conference."

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"It is a reminder how important it is each and every time you play for your country."

For England, the situation is stark and the message from Smith cruelly clear.

"It is a cut-throat tournament, being so short. You need to be up for every game," he points out.

"The leadership of the English is important now. When you suffer a loss, there is lots of criticism - and captain, coach and senior players are crucial now to help regroup.

"I guess you'll see what their squad is made of now."

Approaching milestones

- Graeme Smith (364) needs 36 runs to complete his 400 runs in Twenty20 Internationals.

Head to Head

- South Africa and Scotland would be playing their first ever Twenty20 International against each other.

- Overall, South Africa have won 11 and lost 7 out of 18 contested in Twenty20 Internationals - winning % of 61.11.

- Scotland have won 2 and lost 4 out of seven played (winning % of 28.57). Their game against India was abandoned.

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