'Walking on water': Klaasen in free flow depends on how Proteas' top order fares, says skipper

It will be up to the Proteas' top-order to set the tone for explosive batter Heinrich Klaasen to open the taps at the Cricket World Cup in India, according to captain Temba Bavuma.

On Saturday, South Africa open their World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka in Delhi. 

It's been the Klaasen show since he had a considerable hand in the Sunrisers Eastern Cape winning the SA20 title at the beginning of the year.

Last month, Klaasen smashed 174 off 83 balls at Centurion to help the Proteas bounce back in their ODI series against Australia.

His presence has given the Proteas' middle-order some firepower alongside the big-hitting David Miller, Aiden Markram and Marco Jansen, and Bavuma can't be prouder at having a player of Klaasen's ability in his arsenal.

"Yeah, Klaasen is walking on water at the moment with the way he's been batting. He's obviously a big player for us," Bavuma told reporters on Friday in a pre-match press conference in Delhi.

"He's been part of our group for a number of years and he's truly shown why there's been so much faith and backing in his ability."

The responsibility that will fall to Klaasen and his bat will depend on how the Proteas top-order fares before he steps up to the crease, and Bavuma is well aware of what is required to see a Klaasen batting display in full flow.

"Obviously, he comes in and he marshals that middle-order of our batting," said Bavuma.

"Not to take credit away from it, but his success is probably largely due to the platform from the guys who come in at the top of the order, whether it be Quinton (de Kock), myself or Rassie (van der Dussen).

"I think it's important that those guys do their jobs so guys like Klaasen, even a guy like David [Miller], Aiden [Markram] can go out and do what we