Kagiso Rabada says the Proteas, unlike India, are still searching for a settled XI. 

South Africa are staring down the barrel of a third ODI defeat. Losing another senior batsman has made it even more difficult for them to turn things around, with Quinton de Kock joining AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis on the injury list.

The side will be under construction for the rest of the series, as the Proteas aim to rebuild for the 2019 World Cup.

Rabada said the injury setbacks could be a ‘blessing in disguise’, as the Proteas will give more inexperienced players a chance, and the current team dynamics are still a work in progress.

‘We haven’t come to the party, as you’ve seen,’ he added, referring to the Proteas’ defeats in Durban and Centurion. ‘It’s not acceptable.

‘India are a strong team. Despite playing a lot of games at home, they have been playing good cricket. They reached the final of the Champions Trophy. They have had a good foundation of a team for some time now.

‘It doesn’t help that we haven’t been in the best ODI form since the Champions Trophy. We are still trying to catch up at the moment. Hopefully, it comes soon.’

Heinrich Klaasen is a potential debutant for the Proteas as De Kock’s replacement. The Titans’ wicketkeeper-batsman has been in good form, finishing third on the run-scorers list for his One-Day Cup campaign.

Rabada refused to comment on the team lineup, merely saying, ‘You have to see tomorrow.’

The third ODI starts at 13:00 at Newlands.

Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix