Reeza Hendricks sent a clear message to the Proteas selectors ahead of the start of the ODI series against Sri Lanka on Sunday in Dambulla.
Still uncapped in the 50-over format, the 28-year-old let his bat do the talking - actually screaming ‘hiesa is ek’ - with a super innings of 59 off 54 balls against a Sri Lanka Board XI on Thursday.
Hendricks batted at No.7 as South Africa posted 293 all out with two balls to spare.
Another newcomer, allrounder Wiaan Mulder also proved he can be a real threat down the order.
Coming in at No.8, Mulder also blasted eight fours for his knock of 56.
Captain Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, led by example and top-scored for the South Africans on the day with a well-worked 71.
But while there are reasons to be optimistic ahead of the five-match ODI series, it was the Proteas regulars that will give coach Ottis Gibson a bit of a headache.
Opening the innings, Quinton de Kock lost his wicket for a duck, while Hashim Amla could only add 16 runs before losing his wicket.
The form of these two men will be a big concern to the South African selectors heading into the series.
Test opener Aiden Markram, too, failed in the No.4 and could only get one run before he was run out.
The message from yesterday’s performance was clear to Gibson: the youngsters are hungry and are performing, the old guard not so much.
On the bowling front, Mulder was again one of the players that impressed as South Africa removed their hosts for just 230 runs - 64 shy of the winning target.
The Proteas used a total of eight bowlers in the 45 overs they bowled, with Mulder claiming three wickets.
Tabraiz Shamsi - back after missing the second match of the Test series - also starred with three scalps, while Junior Dala picked up two wickets.
Andile Phelukhwayo was the least successful SA bowler, with his four overs costing the team 27 runs.