Follow UsTemba Bavuma, the skipper of the South African side in the white-ball format, has backed Anrich Nortje to play a significant role in the T20I series against India.
The right-arm pacer struggled with a hip injury and endured a lukewarm Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals.
In a pre-match press conference, Bavuma said, "Anrich is a big player for us, an integral part of the bowling unit. When he joined the IPL, he had come off a huge layoff due to injury.
But the more he plays, the closer he will get to the levels he is capable of. He is an important member of the team and we expect him to perform accordingly," he further added.
The last time the two sides met, hosts South Africa won five out of the six matches during the tour comprising three Tests and as many ODIs earlier this year.
Earlier this year, the two sides locked horns, with South Africa winning the six-match series comprising three Tests and three ODIs comprehensively at home.
However, this time around, they will be up against a young and relatively inexperienced Indian side.
"It's an exciting series. We faced an Indian team recently but this is a different-looking side. There are a lot of younger, fresher faces. Guys who would like to prove themselves and stake a claim to positions within the Indian team."
They won't be short of any motivation. We are not thinking things will happen the same way as they did in SA," he said.
One of the talking points in the first T20I has been the heat factor, as the temperatures are set to rise up to 45 degrees. However, the skipper is hoping the team can get acclimatised to the conditions and produce match-winning performances.
"We expected it to be hot, not this hot. Fortunately, the games are being played in the evening. At night, it is more bearable. The guys are trying to keep themselves hydrated. Keeping themselves as mentally fresh as they can."
"(The hardest thing) has been coping with the heat. It is not something we are used to back home. Hydration, cramping, and fatigue are big things. We can only get used to it by playing in this heat," the visiting captain said.
The Indian team has strengthened its pace bowling unit over the years and is now no longer reliant on its spinners to do the job.
Asked if this changes how South Africa prepares for a series against India, Bavuma said: The Indian bowling attack covers all bases. They cover the quicks and the spin. In terms of preparation, the focus has not just been only on spin but on pacers as well."
The conditions in India are conducive for strokeplay, and Bavuma expects this game to be no different.
"We played a practice game. We played on a side wicket. It was a bit lower than what we are used to back home. It didn't really spin as much, it looked better to bat on as the night went on," he said.
The skipper reiterated the Proteas' aim to further make their batting solid, heading to the World Cup.
"Within our lineup, batting is an area we'd like to get solidity in. Quinton and myself at the top, in the middle order; the guys are quite settled."
"Tristan Stubbs will get an opportunity somewhere along the line. In the games we play till the World Cup, we'll give the guys opportunity so that we get the consistency within that batting lineup, " he concluded.
(With inputs from PTI)