Successfully combating Tshwane Spartans batsman AB de Villiers is atop Durban Heat captain Albie Morkel’s agenda, ahead of Wednesday’s key Mzansi Super League clash at Kingsmead.

De Villiers struck a characteristically brisk half-century in defeat to the Cape Town Blitz and a quickfire 32 to victory over the Paarl Rocks last week.

‘He’s obviously a key player for whichever side he plays for around the world. We certainly know that and respect that,’ said Morkel.

‘I’ve played a lot of cricket with him and on the day, if he’s on there’s not much you can do. We’ve got a few plans that we’re going to try out and if it doesn’t work out, then so be it.

‘I think he will carry a lot of pressure on his shoulders. I’m not saying other guys in the team are not dangerous, but he is the one guy that is the stand-out in that team.

‘So we’d like to actually feed off that. We’d like to think that and let him know that if he doesn’t score runs then his team might be under pressure.’

The Heat have been bolstered by the arrival of batsmen David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, who have returned from South Africa’s limited-overs tour of Australia.