The Proteas will look to put their foot down once and for all when they take on Zimbabwe in the second T20 International in Potchefstroom on Friday.
While the South Africans won by 34 runs in the first game in East London, they nearly allowed the visitors back into the game at the end.
Zimbabwe had slumped to 40/4, but reached a credible 126 all out in response to the Proteas’ 160/6.
So, there are a few ‘work-ons’ for the home team...
Tabraiz Shamsi needs a wicket
The left-arm wrist-spinner conceded 72 runs in 10 overs in the one ODI he played in, and went for 43 in four overs at Buffalo Park.
With Imran Tahir rested for the last two games against Zim, can Shamsi find his mojo once more at Senwes Park?
Strong start at the top of the order
The Proteas were right on the back foot from the start of their innings, with Gihahn Cloete and Quinton de Kock falling cheaply to leave SA at 11/2.
They did well to get to 160, but they should really be targeting 200 against Zimbabwe, especially on a batting-friendly surface in Potchefstroom.
So, the top three need to lay a solid foundation for the big hitters like David Miller and Christiaan Jonker to launch.
Who will clean up the Zimbabwean tail?
No Imran Tahir means there’s no spinning magician to bamboozle the lower-order, and we saw what Peter Moor and Brandon Mavuta could do in the closing overs.
One of the Proteas pacemen, perhaps a specialist like Dane Paterson, needs to bowl some proper yorkers…
@ashfakmohamed