"We want to test ourselves every time there is a series-decider." © Getty

Faf du Plessis is relishing the prospect of a playing a series decider five months out of the Cricket World Cup but has urged his teammates to prepare for the match as they would for any other international fixture. The hosts have been pushed to a final ODI shootout after Pakistan levelled the series 2-2 with a dominant performance in the 'Pink ODI' at Johannesburg.

Du Plessis said he was wary of hyping Wednesday's game at Cape Town given South Africa's historic vulnerability in such high-profile games. "For me it is about finding out how we play the big games," Du Plessis said on Tuesday (January 29). "You don't want to make it any bigger than it is. It is obviously a big game but sometimes when we do make it a big thing we don't always bring our best as a team. For me it is about freeing up the guys and to allow them to go out there and express themselves in any way they want.

Du Plessis also brought to the fore, his team's recent record in ODI series deciders. South Africa have won each of the last five ODI deciders - including last December's series in Australia dating back to their series win against New Zealand in 2015. "We don't want them to see it as a big game where they have to play differently. In the last two years we have played well in these scenarios and we want to test ourselves every time there is a series-decider."

South Africa, who have been on an experimentation spree as they attempt to zero in on their top-15 for the World Cup, could throw up another fresh face in the series, having included 20-year-old Wiaan Mulder in the squad after the all-rounder made a strong comeback from an ankle injury by scoring a 146 for the Highveld Lions in a recent first class game.

"We would love to win every game that we play but there is a bigger picture for us," Du Plessis explained. "That has been very clear, over the last year we haven't always picked the team that is expected or with the most experienced players. It's about giving young guys the opportunity to play," du Plessis said.

Casting an early eye on the World Cup in England, the South Africa captain believed his team could approach the quadrennial tournament much more calmly given they aren't one of the favourites for the title. ""Every team will be going to the World Cup with the same hopes of trying to win it. There are a lot of strong teams, we are going with less pressure on us as a team, there is less expectation of us winning it. It is quite clear that England and India are the two favourites," he said.

"We have a young group in our squad, the guys are excited about the opportunity. There are a lot of guys still trying to find a place in the World Cup fifteen, it is exciting and we are looking forward to see what the final squad for the tournament will be."