Proteas coach Ottis Gibson wants his batsmen to be brave and play their shots in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle on Thursday.
Historically, South Africa have struggled on the slow pitches on the subcontinent.
Gibson, though, believes it’s pointless for his batsmen to try and stick around against the spin bowlers, instead he wants them to chase runs.
The coach explains: “If we are going to win in these conditions we have to be positive and we have to try in most situations to take the positive option.
“The way Sri Lanka play their cricket, when a batsman comes in they will have fielders close to the bat, which means there are scoring opportunities to be had.
HAPPY IN SPIN CONDITIONS: Wristy Tabriaz Shamsi. Photo: RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX
“You have to be positive and confident enough in your game plan to take on those open spaces in the outfield.
“If you are going to scratch around and get out, you might as well be positive and try and make some runs while you’re at the crease.
“That has always been my philosophy, and these conditions here don’t change my feeling on that.”
South Africa warmed up for the first Test in a two-day encounter against a Sri Lanka Board XI over the weekend.
And with spinner Tabraiz Shamsi claiming a fiver in that match, Gibson is happy with what he’s seen from the 28-year-old.
He says: “I thought Shamsi was excellent he has really hit the ground running and put himself in the frame for a Test place.
“We batted well, we made a conscious decision to try and give everyone a hit.
BATTING WITH PURPOSE: SA star Hashim Amla. Photo: MUZI NTOMBELA/BACKPAGEPIX
“Hashim [Amla] retired when he got to 78 to give the others an opportunity to have a hit.
“At the end I was a bit disappointed that the lower-order didn’t use their time a lot better.”
While Amla got 78, opener Aiden Markam got a duck and his opening partner Dean Elgar 43.
Temba Bavuma also showed that he wants the vacant No.4 spot, scoring 58, while captain Faf du Plessis chipped in with 79 as SA scored 338 in reply to their hosts’ 287.