Hampshire batsman Kevin Pietersen has vowed not to become distracted by his long-running feud with Graeme Smith when England take to the field in Tuesday's must-win World Cup showdown with South Africa.

The star batsman has been at loggerheads with the Proteas captain since returning to the country of his birth with England two winters ago.

Pietersen, 26, dubbed Smith an "absolute muppet" for his on-field sledging during that tour, but now says: "Graeme Smith and I do not get on but I must not be distracted.

"This is a massive game. It's a make-or-break game for our winter.

"If we win, we've a great chance of making the semi-finals. If we lose, we'll be flying out of the Caribbean on Sunday.

"Tuesday is do or die for England. It's not Kevin Pietersen v Graeme Smith.

"We won't be having a beer together afterwards. Neither of us have a problem with that.

"We will both be giving everything to come out on top - let's leave it at that."

Pietersen turned his back on South Africa because their quota system - which guarantees places to black players - restricted his progress as a young player.

He insists he is England through and through now, adding: "The reality is that I am bored with the South Africa issue.

"It's old news. All my reasons for leaving have been well-documented".

Pietersen is England's most consistent batsman in the World Cup.

He scored 104 in a losing cause against Australia and has also scored 60 v New Zealand, 58 v Sri Lanka, 56no v Kenya and 48 v Ireland.