The two teams – South Africa and Bangladesh – right now are miles apart when compared in terms of the mental state and standings in the tournament.
But that will not make South Africa complacent when they face Bangladesh in the Group 1 fixture of the T20 World Cup at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi Tuesday.
South Africa currently stand at No 2 in the table with two wins in three games and have several playing members contributing.
After starting the tournament on a losing note – to Australia by five wickets - the Proteas bounced back with wins against the West Indies and Sri Lanka.
While in the Bangladesh dressing room, the picture in totally opposite with the team almost out of the semi-final race in the tournament with three straight defeats and players continuously underperforming.
South Africa all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius in the pre-match press conference Monday said the team need to keep preparing and bring all intensity into the field irrespective of how the team has played so far in the tournament.
“We know that we need to keep preparing well. And then obviously bring all the intensity and passion when we get on to the field for the next game. Bangladesh are a good side, strong side, and very dangerous in these conditions, and we can't take them lightly,” said Pretorius.
According to Pretorius, team effort has been the key to the Proteas success on the field.
They are not reliable on individuals.
In the past the team relied on big performers and when they failed, there was struggle for the side in the big tournaments.
“Our whole team, batting, bowling whatever, we're not relying on one or two superstars to get us over the line. Our whole team is contributing all the time. We can see it again in the last match. David (Miller) came to the floor, even Temba (Bavuma) took us deep in difficult conditions,” said the 32-year old Pretorius.
“And if you go through even the warm-up matches, there's a lot of guys that have gone in, scored runs. I think overall our team is in a very good space at the moment but we're not taking any matches or any results for granted,” the fast bowling all-rounder added.
Pretorius has been one of the leading forces in the South African bowling attack in the death overs, having recorded identical figures of 3/17 in victories against the Windies and Sri Lanka.
He went wicketless against Australia and conceded 26 runs in 3.4 overs.
“The dangers at the death are being predictable. So I'm trying to vary my pace and my lengths quite a bit even though my line is the same, keeping the guys guessing,” said Pretorius.
“And then, like, I think I had another interview where I said I'm trying to make sure I'm bowling to the batters' plan Cs and Ds instead of their plan A. It's not an ego battle out there; it's trying to be effective as much as possible,” he added.