Majestic Markram, indomitable spin twins steal the show as Proteas come alive in ODI series

And so, in less than 85 overs, all seems right with the world again for the Proteas.

Under pressure to find form in a five-match ODI series against Australia that they were already trailing 0-2, the hosts pulled one back with a surprisingly emphatic 111-run victory at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday night.

Except for the very obvious infusion of confidence it will provide to South Africa's World Cup designates, this match also suggested some boxes are steadily getting ticked for the showpiece in India starting next month.

While it's true that an excellent batting performance - delivered on the back of actually being asked to take first strike by visiting captain Mitchell Marsh - was the cornerstone of this triumph, the Proteas' showing in the field was the real highlight.

Armed with a substantial buffer of 339 runs to defend, the bowlers were allowed a bit more breathing room to find their rhythm though the capriciousness of the quicker men is still a major concern.

SCORECARD | Proteas v Australia, 3rd ODI

Indeed, David Warner once again cut them to shreds in streaking to 56-ball 78, feasting on Marco Jansen and Sisanda Magala, who conceded over 10 and 11 per over respectively.

In the latter's case, it was his first competitive action since recovering from an "acute" knee injury, but he looked off the pace and eventually went off again.

However, redemption was around the corner in the form of the spin twins Tabraiz Shamsi (2/29) and Keshav Maharaj (2/37).

For the second game in succession, it was the revitalised Shamsi who bowled the Proteas back into the game, cleverly opening a crack for the hosts to peek into when he forced Marsh to hole out at long-on.

Shortly afterwards, Maharaj was on hand to brilliantly run