The Proteas are confident that they can return to winning ways on Saturday when they face the defending champions England in Mumbai at the ICC Cricket World Cup in India.

Earlier in the week the Proteas suffered a shock loss to the Netherlands, but unlike a year ago in Australia during the T20 World Cup, they still have games in hand to set the record straight.

The Proteas will take confidence out of their back-to-back wins over the English in Bloemfontein earlier in the year.

The Proteas spinner, Keshav Maharaj, said they won’t let this one defeat define their campaign and they are ready to continue the fight.

“We will realign those with the broader team assessment later,” said the seasoned spinner.

“The boys were hurting, but that is part and parcel of being a professional sportsman. We woke up the next day and the guys were rejuvenated and ready to go again.”

Regarding the English, Maharaj believes that they are a well-balanced outfit and they will be boosted with the return of Ben Stokes.

“They are a well-balanced team and they do bat deep. From the perspective of our bowling unit, we have to make sure we have plans for everyone; and then we need to execute on the day.

“You want to keep the intensity up throughout the 50 overs, and that is a key aspect to focus on.

“When we are two or three down early, the lesson is to ensure we refocus, realign and restructure.

Play at the Wankhede Stadium Mumbai is scheduled to get underway on Saturday morning at 10:30.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport