The Proteas are confident heading into Thursday’s ICC Cricket World Cup game against Australia in Lucknow, India.

South Africa recently beat Australia 3-2 in an One-Day International series in South Africa, while they also won their first game of the World Cup with a 102-run victory against Sri Lanka in Delhi.

The Proteas are well-aware that the Australian team at the World Cup is a better one that toured South African and they will want to set the record straight from the ODI series defeat.

The Proteas batting coach, JP Duminy, said while they are confident it’s important to continue the process and showing the revered South Africa fighting spirit.

“Having had personal experiences against them when their backs are against the wall,” said the former Proteas middle-order batter.

“They are going to come out firing and knowing their personality, it doesn’t take them away from their style of play, they are going to come harder.

“What is our response to that? “We try to stay in our bubble. It’s not necessarily fighting fire with fire.

“What is the identity of the South African team? We are a resilient country, we stick together in tough times. So, we look each other in the eye, and whatever gets thrown at us, I put up my hand and say that I’m going to do this for my mate.

“Yes, there is confidence coming out of a series winning 3-2 when we were 2-0 down. For the most part, a lot of those players were part of that series,” Duminy said.

“But, there are certain threats that are going to be posed, namely these conditions, and one or two players that never played in that series. We will certainly look at that.”

Thursday’s game starts at 10:30.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday the defending champions England thrashed Bangladesh by 137-runs in Dharamsala, while Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 6-wickets in Hyderabad.

On Wednesday morning at 10:30, India will face Afghanistan in Delhi.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport