Quinton de Kock celebrated his appointment as ODI captain of the Proteas in style on Wednesday night, leading the team to a seven-wicket win over world champions England.
De Kock won everything on the day - the toss, the match and the Player of the Match award after scoring 107 off 113 balls.
Teammate Temba Bavuma (98), who shared a record 173-run second-wicket partnership against England with De Kock, believes the new captain’s leadership style is exactly the medicine the ailing Proteas team needs.
ENJOYING HIS GAME: Temba Bavuma
Bavuma says of the win: “It is massive for the team, it’s massive for Quinny [de Kock] as well.
“As younger players, we draw a lot of energy from him, the guys are living up to things he says.
“He is a guy that leads through his actions and the guys have been inspired by that.”
Bavuma, though, know they will have to put in a similar performance in the second ODI at Kingsmead on Friday.
Axed from the Test squad, Bavuma says the time away from the team has been helpful.
The little big man from Langa explains: “A lot has happened - for the good and the bad.
“A month ago - at the end of MSL - I didn’t think things would have panned out the way it happened.
“[But] the time away from the team has given me time to reflect and realign myself with my goals.
“I’ve had to find the strength and courage to keep enjoying the game.”
Having worked hard with batting coach Jacques Kallis in the nets, Bavuma says: “Jacques has been hands-on with most of the batters.
OFF TO A GOOD START: South Africa
“It’s been a breath of fresh air working with him. Technically, no one that knows better than him.”
Of being back on the field, he adds: “Just being back on the field again was good.
“It’s a different format, there is a different type of pressure.
“It felt like I was a kid with no burden out there, just enjoying my cricket.”