Proteas middle-order batsman Justin Ontong is confident the tourists can bounce back to level the series in the second T20
International against New Zealand in Hamilton on Sunday.
South Africa lost by six wickets in the first of three T20 matches in Wellington on Friday.
“We have our game plans and tomorrow is another game,” Ontong said on Saturday.
“New Zealand are obviously on a high and we have to come back strongly.
“That is how T20 cricket works – you have to bounce back.
“The boys are ready for it and we just need to stick to our game plans and if it works on the day we will be victorious.”
New Zealand have a 100 percent success rate in the short format at Seddon Park, winning all four T20 Internationals they have played at the venue.
In their most recent victory at the ground, they successfully chased down a 201-run target to beat Zimbabwe by five wickets on Tuesday.
Ontong believed, however, the South Africans had the beating of the hosts and one star performance could level the series.
“One bit of brilliance from a player can turn the game on its head,” he said.
The veteran of 63 T20 matches, at all levels of the game, made 32 runs to help prop up the middle in Wellington after the Proteas were sent in to bat.
“I'm just happy that I can contribute,” Ontong said.
“My approach depends on the situation that I come in on.
“If it requires you to just knock the ball around I'm able to do that but in T20's you also have to clear the boundary, so that is also another side of my game that I'm working on.” – Sapa