JP Duminy has stressed that South Africa won’t read too much into their big defeat at the hands of New Zealand in a World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday.

The Proteas lost by 134 runs chasing 332, but were bowled out for 197. They face Zimbabwe in their first pool match on Sunday.

Duminy scored 80 runs and shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 121 with Vernon Philander (57).

‘The big defeat is not ideal, but I enjoyed my partnership with Vern,’ said Duminy.

‘It was good to spend some time in the middle and build a partnership. I’m pretty pleased with that side of our performance.’

Duminy denied that the team were disappointed with the big loss.

‘No, not at all,’ he said.

‘We said from the start that we weren’t too concerned about the results in these warm-up games. I managed to bowl a few overs as did Faf (du Plessis) and that was important.

‘We are quite happy about where we are. Come Sunday we’ll be raring to go.

Zimbabwe surprised everyone when they beat Sri Lanka by 7 wickets in a World Cup warm-up match in Lincoln, New Zealand on Wednesday.

The men in blue posted a solid 279/8 in their 50 overs, but the Zimbabweans made the score look well below par, chasing it down inside 46 overs and ending their innings on 281/3.

‘We don’t want to read too much into these games and their results. The win will be a big confidence booster for Zimbabwe, but we won’t read too much into it,’ said Duminy.

‘The intensity differs greatly in warm-ups compared to proper ODI matches. ‘

Duminy said he felt he was in a good space personally.

‘I was happy to spend some time in the middle. New Zealand are a well balanced team and will contend for a semi-final spot.

‘We don’t want to lose so many wickets up front like we did today. We want to start the tournament well and build momentum.’

He confirmed that Dale Steyn was rested for the game and that he was ‘perfectly fine’.

‘Farhaan Berhardien tweaked a back muscle in training on Tuesday, but should be fit for selection for the first match on Sunday.’