White-ball coach Rob Walter was left scratching for measly positives after the Proteas surrendered another ODI series to Pakistan at Newlands.

The Proteas were thrashed by 81 runs on Thursday to fashion tomorrow’s much-anticipated ‘Pink ODI’ at the Wanderers (2pm start) into a dead rubber.

Pakistan have won consecutive ODI series on South African soil, after their 2-1 success two years ago.

Walter has now won just a single ODI series – over Ireland in Abu Dhabi – since last year’s run to the World Cup semi-final in India.

The 49-year-old admitted that his side were well below par at Newlands in all three departments, but took solace from the fact that there were individuals who were putting up their hand.

Heinrich Klaasen once again played a lone hand with a second consecutive half-century, but it was more the potential Kwena Maphaka showed on his ODI debut that gave Walter something to look forward to.

Maphaka, 18, became the youngest Proteas debutant at Newlands, and returned figures of 4/72 amidst the Pakistani onslaught.

Walter was certainly impressed with the way the teenager held his nerve during the frenetic death overs by utilising his change-ups.

“It’s very exciting to think about what lies ahead for Kwena,” said Walter.

“Just to see him out there today (at Newlands), he really sort of thrives and flourishes in those moments – and he’ll keep getting better and better.

“Just to see the kind of skills he threw (up) at the back-end – back-of-the-hand slower balls – which he hadn’t bowled in the game to that point, and to then figure out that’s maybe the option and to back himself to go for it, I think is very exciting.

“So, we want to just keep allowing him the space to grow and flourish, and understanding that performances might be inconsistent.

“But his growth is more important in the long-term picture of him being a match-winner for South Africa.”

Maphaka will most likely get another run at the Bullring tomorrow after yet another Proteas seamer Ottniel Baartman, broke down with injury.

The South Africans have suffered a number of injuries to fast bowlers this summer, along with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Titans all-rounder Corbin Bosch has been drafted into the squad for the third ODI.

It is Bosch’s second Proteas’ call-up this week, after also being named in the Test squad for the two-match series against Pakistan.

Walter admitted the South Africans’ pride has been dented after another series loss, and that they are determined to avoid a whitewash in Johannesburg.

“We have a very proud bunch of cricketers who really wanted to level up the series (in Cape Town) and take it to Pink Day on Sunday,” Walter said.

“That has not happened, so we have a bunch of guys who are very disappointed with that and the way we’ve performed as a team.

“And most of the time, that’s enough for these guys to get up and really want to play better.

“So, I don’t think they’re going to need any motivation from my side for Sunday’s game.” | Independent Media Sport