Novak Djokovic saved a match point in the third set against Tomas Berdych before winning 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (3) at the ATP finals.
South Africa have two bowlers among the top 10 leading wicket takers at the World Cup — and neither of them is Morne Morkel or Dale Steyn.
Faf du Plessis struck a confident note on Monday when he said the Proteas should have too much depth in every department against New Zealand.