Faf du Plessis expects more from South Africa's bowlers

Captain Faf du Plessis is demanding an immediate improvement from his bowlers after watching South Africa struggle despite the batsmen posting huge totals in their first two matches.

South Africa failed to defend a 230-run target against England in their opener on Friday with Eoin Morgan's side chasing down a World T20 record score to win by two wickets.

And despite posting a score of 209-5 in Mumbai on Sunday, Afghanistan were only 37-runs short of South Africa's score, after an eye-catching 19-ball knock of 44 from Mohammad Shahzhad.

"Our first three overs were very disappointing, obviously there were some really good shots." Du Plessis told reporters after the win over Afghanistan at the Wankhede Stadium.

"But we need to be a lot better, we have to improve. As simple as that."

Afghanistan were ahead of South Africa's score at the halfway stage of their innings but paceman Chris Morris and Imran Tahir pulled the Proteas back.

Morris finished with four wickets and Du Plessis felt the others need to take a leaf out of his book to improve.

"It's little bit of a Wankhede issue and the wicket is very good, but it's definitely not an excuse," he said.

"Morris showed if you bowl with good discipline and good intensity there is enough for the bowlers still to bowl well (on this wicket)."

Du Plessis hopes his bowlers will fare better when South Africa move to the relatively slower wickets of Nagpur and New Delhi, where batsmen may find it more difficult to score freely.

"With the wickets a bit more two-paced it means our bowlers have the skills to adapt and show some variety," he added. "Our skills have been found wanting on this pitch."

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