Tonight's final margin of victory over Zimbabwe in Hamilton was eventually comfortable -- 62 runs after posting 339-4 -- but hardly comparable to those enjoyed by fellow favourites New Zealand and Australia on the opening day of the tournament.
South Africa were severely tested with both bat and ball against one of world cricket's minnows, surviving courtesy of a spectacular hour-long fireworks display put on by David Miller and JP Duminy.
Without that world record stand of 256 for the fifth wicket, the Proteas could have been on the wrong end of one of the tournament's great upsets. Zimbabwe did shock Sri Lanka in their final warm-up game but their last ODI series win when facing a major association, excluding Bangladesh, came in 2001.
They bowled tight lines early and their batting, especially during Hamilton Masakadza's rapid 80, thrilled their tireless contingent of drum-beating fans. But, again, this was the same team who last year drew a home series against Afghanistan.
South Africa, on the other hand, boast the world's first- and second-ranked batsmen, but AB de Villiers (averaging 52.16) and Hashim Amla (56.41) both missed out in the opening game. While their pace stocks rival any in cricket, Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn combined for only five Zimbabwean wickets.
But rather than condemn his side's efforts, de Villiers' chose post-match to praise their opponents and mitigate the top order failures that included Quinton de Kock and Faf du Plessis.
"I'm very happy with the performance," said the captain. "[Zimbabwe] can play some cricket -- I would not be surprised if they upset a couple of teams in this World Cup."
"It was a really difficult wicket to bat on in the first 15-20 overs. It got a bit easier in our innings, and David and JP made full use of that and played exceptionally in a great partnership that won us the game."
That partnership was certainly a positive for the Proteas. After Miller (138 from 92) and Duminy (115 from 100) pillaged 146 runs from the final 60 deliveries, the rest of the competition was warned that every man in South Africa's top six is more than capable of turning a match.
But the rest of the competition would have also spotted a couple of weaknesses. Those big names atop the order are perhaps prone to mental lapses when pressure is applied; those big guns with the ball in hand can be blunted employing the right approach.
South Africa could very well win this World Cup. But they rarely resembled champions at Seddon Park.
NZME.
