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For the Proteas it is now a question of onwards and upwards.
They dare not look back following their convincing victory over the West Indies in the triangular series this week.
And with their new-found self-confidence and form, they have to break Australia today.
The way in which they brushed the Windies aside has to serve as inspiration for them to once again assert their authority.
Their victory by 139 runs over the Windies, in which Imran Tahir (7/45) posted the best figures yet by a South African bowler, was just the injection AB de Villiers and his team needed.
The series is wide open after the Proteas’ victory, and all three teams are in the running to make it to the final.
After four matches, all three teams have won two and all three have been beaten by the others.
And with the series now moving to Barbados, there is nothing to choose between the teams.
South Africa has to keep up the momentum they had on Wednesday in St Kitts when they dominated the home team in all aspects of the game.
A lack of consistency is the weakness that is tormenting all three teams, and among the Windies, Aussies and Proteas, none has been able to manage consecutive victories in the Triangular series.
At least the Proteas’ top batting order finally flexed its muscles with the 343/4 they scored against the Windies.
Tahir mentioned this big score as precisely one of the main reasons for his success with his seven wickets.
The South African spinner can now boast the achievement that he was fourth fastest to 100 wickets in international one-day cricket, and top of the list of all South African bowlers to date.
Tonight all the gears will have to run smoothly again, and the batters and bowlers will have to work together to strengthen their position at the top of the log and open the door to the final.
In Tahir and the chinaman bowler Tabraiz Shamsi, the South Africans suddenly have spin twins who have the ability to keep batters guessing.
Chris Morris will also get time on the field again, because he helps with a surge in batting strength in the lower order.
It’s a shame that a spot could not be found for Kyle Abbott.
On his current form he should get game time ahead of Kagiso Rabada, but there are other factors at play preventing this.
With Hashim Amla’s bat broad at the moment and Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis also in good batting form, it’s only AB de Villiers who’s yet to contribute a hefty innings.
Wayne Parnell is bowling with great fire, and a bowling attack consisting of him, Morris, Tahir and Shamsi could cause a lot of problems for the Aussie batsmen.
