Faf du Plessis is under no illusions that the intensity will be lifted when South Africa go head-to-head with New Zealand over the course of the next month across three formats.
Fresh off a convincing Test and ODI summer against a very inexperienced Sri Lankan team (an under-strength Proteas side lost the T20 series), Du Plessis is acutely aware that facing the Kiwis on home soil will provide an entirely different challenge.
The opening battle is a T20 International at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday night with the venue providing the backdrop of South Africa’s heart-rending World Cup semi-final defeat two years ago.
It is the first time Du Plessis and the rest of his teammates will re-visit the graveyard of their World Cup dreams since that fateful evening which adds a further twist to an intriguing plot.
Supplement this with the fact that New Zealand are significantly stronger opposition than Sri Lanka, especially in their unique conditions in regards to drop-in pitches, vague field dimensions and inclement weather, it could be the perfect preparation for South Africa’s assault on the ICC Champions Trophy later this year. The Proteas and the Black Caps face-off in five ODIs after the Eden Park hit out.
"Honestly, something like that you'll always carry it with you," Du Plessis said of the World Cup semi-final defeat to the media in Auckland on Monday. "But as a team we've put it behind us, but the emotions of that day will always be with us. It's not a bad thing.
"New Zealand and England are the places you want to be playing ahead of the Champions Trophy. New Zealand have a great energy in their team and they are very competitive, especially in the fielding department, so you always feel their presence.
"They have an amazing record at home, just as we've done over the last year. That's a nice challenge for us to beat a team that's playing well but also their record is really, really good in New Zealand."
Equally though Du Plessis is confident that the Proteas have sufficient firepower within their ranks to counter anything the home side may have in store for them.
The Test and T20 skipper believes the changing make-up of the Proteas squad in relation to the four all-rounders – Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo and Dwaine Pretorius – the team now possess arguably puts them in a stronger position than when they were last in New Zealand when ODI captain AB de Villiers was forced to bowl during the last 10 overs of that fateful semi-final.
The fact that the Proteas have also earned the No 1 ICC ODI ranking is also significant ammunition for the visitors to take into the coming series.
"I feel we are a team now full of all-rounders, with a lot of bowlers who can bat. The last 15-16 games it's looked like our team is very well-balanced because the young guys bring a longer batting lineup," Du Plessis said.
"I think the last while we've playing really good cricket, even away from home. We have a nice thing going at home where we've won 12 on the bounce and it is important when you come to a place like this, against team who also have a good record at home to have confidence and momentum on your side. We haven't performed the way we'd like in ICC tournaments. We are putting a huge amount of emphasis on one-day cricket."
The Proteas open their tour with a warm-up T20 fixture against a New Zealand XI on the outskirts of Eden Park on Tuesday.