After fighting back well to level the three-match ODI series against West Indies in Potchefstroom on Tuesday, the Proteas will enter the T20 series full of confidence and self-belief.
The first match between the Proteas and the visitors from the Caribbean is on Saturday, with the second match on Sunday. Both are scheduled for SuperSport Park. The third game is next Tuesday at Wanderers.
The Proteas will be led for the first time in the T20 format by new captain Aiden Markram, who takes charge in the final ODI on Tuesday while Temba Bavuma is rested with a hamstring niggle.
Markram’s team beat the Windies by four wickets after chasing down a target of 261 in over 20 overs.
West Indies won the second game after the first match was rained out, leaving the series tied 1-1.
Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 119 off 61 balls in Potchefstroom, was not the only Proteas player to enter the T20 series in good form.
Markram recently hit a century and 96 in the Test series against the Windies, while Marco Jansen, who is due to come up in the batting order, has also shown good form with the bat.
Also, Rilee Rossouw, who did not feature in the ODI series, has produced his T20 goods in the Pakistan Super League.
Rossouw, who plays for Multan Sultans, finished third highest run-scorer with 453 runs in 11 innings, with a top score of 121 and an average of 45.30. His strike rate of 171.59 is one of the best in the competition.
Bjorn Fortuin and Sisanda Magala, after a good showing in the SA20, will be keen to make a mark, although Magala recently split the webbing in his right hand and is in a race against time to fit in to play in the series.
Also, Reeza Hendricks, who was in the squad but did not feature in the ODIs, suffered an injury to his right ring finger.
The good news is that the Proteas welcome back Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, who did not feature in the ODI series.
It is also understood that Bavuma has been added to the T20 squad after his recent good form in the Test and ODI arena.
Proteas T20 squad
Aiden Markram (capt), Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Wayne Parnell, Kagiso Rabada, Rilee Rossouw, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs
T20 series equipment
Saturday, March 25 at 14:00: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Sunday, March 26 at 2:00 p.m.: SuperSport Park, Centurion
Tuesday, March 28 at 6pm: Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg