The Proteas are totally focused on Zimbabwe and won’t be wasting too much energy in their last World Cup warm-up match against New Zealand on Wednesday.

South Africa beat Sri Lanka by five wickets on Monday in a fairly tight game, and Faf du Plessis is expecting more of the same when they face the Black Caps in Hamilton.

‘We have played a lot of cricket in the last month so we are ready to play,’ Du Plessis said in reference to their opening match against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

‘It was good to be put under some pressure by Sri Lanka after a fairly one-sided ODI series against the West Indies. We expect more intensity against New Zealand because it is closer to the World Cup, but we aren’t very concerned by the result.

‘We’ll build ourselves up slowly because it’s quite a long tournament and we need to stay mentally fresh.’

Du Plessis said it would be good if the team’s death bowlers could be tested against some big hitting Kiwi’s.

‘We’re actually quite relaxed about it though. It’s not a big worry for us.’

He admitted that the build-up to the World Cup had been very long and that the players are more than ready to start their campaign.

‘All our focus is on Zimbabwe. We are not too concerned about the warm-ups,’ said Du Plessis.

Asked about facing India in their second pool match, Du Plessis agreed that it’s a match that could potentially decide who tops the pool.

‘On paper it should be the case, but we know in World Cups there are always upsets. One of the smaller teams are bound to have a good game.

‘I enjoy playing against India. I have played well against them in the past and hopefully I can do so again.’