Proteas look to finish ODI series well

The match marks the end of a challenging season for the ODI unit, and McLaren says the team have shown encouraging improvements following their 4-1 series defeat to Sri Lanka in July.

"This group of players have come through a lot of tough times during the building phases," McLaren said ahead of the game. "Although we have had success in the recent series that we have played against Pakistan and against India, there is still a lot of work in progress."

Since the Sri Lanka disappointment, however, they have won the last seven of their 10 matches in an impressive run, but McLaren maintains the squad is far from a finished product.

"When you look back it wasn't so long ago that we were struggling against New Zealand at home and Sri Lanka away."

The Proteas made their intentions clear early in the series with both bat and ball and have had the better of their visitors in both matches.

They are on the verge of a 3-0 series win and will be going in with the same approach in the final match.

"From the start of the series when we got together for the series against India we said that we wanted to set the tone early," McLaren added.

"We wanted to make sure that we came to the games with a lot of intensity and energy. I think we did that in the first match in Johannesburg and more importantly we followed it up in Durban as well."

McLaren is South Africa's leading wicket-taker for 2013 with 45 dismissals at an average of 23.77, but remains grounded about his contributions and place in the team.

"I never take my position for granted in this team," he said. "Yes, I have had a successful year and put in some good performances of late, but I'd still like to be more consistent."

Persistent rainfall in the Centurion area forced the Proteas to train indoors, and a similar forecast has been predicted for today.

(File photo:Gallo Images)

- Sapa