Away series win is in sight for the Proteas

Pallekele is a rare place - a ground in Sri Lanka where South Africa have won a match.

In fact, it was the only place they won during their 4-1 mauling in last year's one-day series.

So there are reasons to be cheerful for the Proteas' supporters that their team have the opportunity to clinch what would be their first ODI series win in Sri Lanka today.

"We did the right things, gave ourselves a chance at the end, put runs on the board and managed to bowl them out," David Miller remembered yesterday.

Miller recalls that match with fondness. He walked to the crease with SA teetering on 100/5 and scored 85 not out to guide them to a total of 223/7.

Then Lonwabo Tsotsobe took 4/22 and SA won by 56 runs.

"Taking performances from the past into the present gives me a sense of belief that I have done it before," Miller said.

Of course, what happened last year is far less relevant than what happened on Sunday, regardless of where SA delivered their most solid ODI display since last year'sill-fated trip to the Asian island to win the first match of this series by 75 runs.

Another showing like that and they should earn their fourth victory in 18 ODIs against the hosts in Sri Lanka and with it the honours in the three-match series.

Miller was instrumental again on Sunday, making 36 not out and sharing an unbroken stand of 55 to push the Proteas to a total of 304/5 - their highest in Sri Lanka. The home side were dealt with for 229.

"I think the guys are more focused on the preparations before the game," Miller said.

But the most important lesson SA could take from their experience of Pallekele in 2013 came in the next match. Played at the same venue, Sri Lanka won by eight wickets with six overs remaining.

"Whatever comes our way [today], we've got to try and be up for the challenge mentally," Miller said.

"We've spoken about Sri Lanka's response in team meetings. They are going to come back stronger; that's the way cricket goes.

"We know that you can have a bad day but, the next day, how you come back is what you build your character on."

SA will know that applies to their opponents as much as it does to themselves. Although the Sri Lankans were outplayed on Sunday, they have more than enough experience and ability to strike back immediately.

Angelo Mathews' team will also feel the pressure of their public's expectation for them to play to the standard that clinched their first Test series in England last month.

If today's game swings SA's way, the Sri Lankans will not want to look too many of their compatriots in the eye.

That would make Pallekele an even rarer place than it already is for the South Africans.