Johannesburg - Former captain Johan Botha has played down dropped chances in the first game but admits there is room for improvement as South Africa look to bounce back against Australia in the second T20 International at the Wanderers on Sunday.
The tourists won the opening match of their six-week cricket tour in Cape Town on Thursday, securing a five-wicket victory with three balls to spare.
"I think we did really well to get 146 [batting first]," Botha said.
"Our fielding in general was very good, though there were one or two sharp chances we missed, and I think we bowled really well to get as close as we did.
"If we can take those small chances, we'll perform even better."
Shane Watson, who went on to anchor Australia's innings with a 52-run contribution, was put down by Graeme Smith in the slips when he was on two.
Botha also wasted two opportunities, dropping Cameron White in the 16th over and David Hussey in the 18th.
Middle-order batsman JP Duminy, who led a recovery after South Africa lost two early wickets in their innings, admitted they were a little rusty in their first match in six months.
"We were always going to be a bit rough around the edges in our first game out," Duminy said.
"I think we can improve in all departments -- fielding, batting and bowling -- but I think there are a lot of positives we can take out of the game as well."
Duminy top scored for the hosts with 67 runs before he was removed by 18-year-old Patrick Cummins, who returned 3/25 to spearhead Australia's attack, but he believed the Proteas could handle the speedster at the Wanderers.
"I had faced him [Cummins] in the Champions League before, and he's got talent and pace," Duminy said.
"He's a tough customer to face, but I think we've got the batsmen to overcome that."
The Proteas have lost only one of their last seven T20 matches at the Wanderers, and have defeated Australia in both previous games they have played at the Bullring.
Botha said they would look to hit back at their happy hunting ground in an effort to build momentum heading into a three-match ODI series.
"We used to play our first game of a series at the Wanderers, and the guys have been quite successful here," Botha said.
"Hopefully we can have similar success and get back to winning ways."