HAMPSHIRE batsman Kevin Pietersen will enter a cauldron of hate when he faces his fellow South Africans in the opening one-day international in Johannesburg tomorrow.

Pietersen starred in the warm-up match against South Africa A on Thursday, when he scored a breathtaking 97 from just 84 balls, to guide England to a comfortable six-wicket win.

But the Boks will turn up the heat on the 24-year-old in Johannesburg tomorrow - just three months after the former Natal batsman qualified to play for England.

Pietermaritzburg-born Pietersen was handed a volley of abuse from South Africa A bowler Alfonso Thomas before silencing the sledgers with nine fours and three sixes two days ago - but Boks skipper Graeme Smith will give him another round of abuse tomorrow.

Pietersen, who averages 104 from his first four ODIs, opted to play for England because of South Africa's quota system, which means a minimum of three black players have to be included in each domestic team.

Pietersen believes it restricts opportunities for emerging white players but Smith said: "He ran out when things got tough. If he didn't want to be here then we don't want him here.

"We all know that South Africa went through a transformation that was important for our country. We had to come from apartheid and move on; there was always going to be a difficult stage. We all went through it and some fantastic cricketers have emerged.

"But if that is the way he feels about sport in our country then he is better off in England."

Pietersen, who spent four years qualifying for England via the residency rule, is fully prepared for the backlash.

He said: "I'm pretty sure the reaction will not be a good one. As an example, there's a rugby player called Clyde Rathbone, who used to captain South Africa under-21s but now plays for Australia, and he went back to Durban, where we're both from, to play in the Tri-Nations final at King's Park. Every time he touched the ball he got booed and apparently they completely nailed him!

"But there's no doubt I've made the right decision. A few years ago a good mate of mine in South Africa said to me 'Don't do it - you're good enough to come through the ranks come hell or high water.'

"But when I got selected to play for England I reminded him of what he said to me back in Durban and he admitted he was wrong. I'm absolutely thrilled to bits. It's the best decision I've made so far."

Pietersen credits his mother Penny for making sure he feels English.

He added: " Mum sort of ruled the roost and she's as English as they come. She was born and bred in England.

"My dad is Afrikaans but he doesn't speak Afrikaans at home so I've been brought up the English way. Normally you are brought up to be patriotic to the country you are in but I have never felt that way towards South Africa.

"During the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, I loved Rob Andrew. I thought he was the king and I backed England to go all the way, and when he dropped that goal to knock the Australians out I was delighted. I have always had a place in my heart for England and am really close to my mum so it was not a hard decision."

Meanwhile, ex-Hampshire and England batsman Robin Smith has warned Pietersen that an even more volatile reaction awaits him. Like Pietersen, Smith is a Natal old boy and he reckons the abuse will be cranked up when he plays on his 'home' ground in the penultimate clash of the seven match series on February 11.

Smith said: "It will be very intimidating. When I went back to Durban in 1996 I had 20,000 people booing me, but KP has already shown it brings out the best in him."