Calcutta/Auckland: South African spearhead Dale Steyn said on Friday he believed he would soon come up with an eye-catching performance in the World Cup.

The Proteas will head into Saturday's clash against Pakistan in Auckland with Steyn, widely regarded as the world's best fast bowler, having taken just five wickets in four matches at the tournament.

Steyn, 27, has been overshadowed by Morne Morkel (nine wickets), leg-spinner Imran Tahir (nine) and Kyle Abbott (six in two matches) in South Africa's three wins in four Pool B games.

South Africa will, however, still look to Steyn to exploit Pakistan's top-order frailties at Eden Park. "I don't think I've bowled too badly. I think against Zimbabwe, I actually wanted to bowl quite quick and run in and try to knock them over," said Steyn of a match in which he had figures of 1/64 in nine overs.

"I just ignored that (basic) instinct, and just wanted to run in and blast them where it didn't work. After that I think I got better and better.

"I haven't taken the wickets that I want to take, but that's the World Cup. In a World Cup you don't have anywhere to hide. There are only 10 wickets to take, and when Imran takes five or Abbott takes four, there is not much for the other bowlers to take.

"So you have to do what you have to do in order for your team to win. I'm happy with that. I feel if we make it to the final, I'm due to have a good game somewhere in there."

Steyn joked when he was asked if he had to bowl to his captain AB de Villiers, how would he manage. On a lighter vein he said: "I'd trip him on his way out of the hotel tomorrow morning and hope that he breaks his ankle."

He added with a laugh: "I don't know... He's a phenomenal player and seeing the ball like no other player has seen a cricket ball before. He's playing shots that I don't think most people have seen before.

"Watching him is like watching the movie The Matrix really," he said. In The Matrix, Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, is transformed from an unassuming computer technician into someone who is revealed to have super-human powers, be they fighting skills or an ability to dodge bullets. "There is Neo for you right there. Like he just doesn't understand how good he is," Steyn said.

"I think he's actually figured out now that there is no roof or cap on how good he can possibly be. He is limitless in what he can do... I think he's starting to realise that now.

"Bowlers are struggling to find a way to get this guy out. The only way to get him out is when he gets himself out. He's that good at the moment. Hopefully, we can see more players like him because it does make the game more entertaining to watch."