Their pride severely dented, veteran South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock on Sunday said he is determined to help his team put the record straight in the second Test against India starting in Durban on Tuesday.
"Losing at the Wanderers was a severe blow to us, it damaged our pride," said Pollock ahead of match at the Wanderers.
"But this one is one of our favourite places and we are keen to put the record straight," he added.
Pollock, who picked his 400th scalp in the first Test at the Wanderers, said motivation has not been an issue with him and he does not have any plans of retirement.
"I tend to reassess at the start of each season and it is no different now. I feel I am good enough for this and the next series [against Pakistan], but, as always, I would reassess at the end of the season. As of now, there is no imminent retirement," he said.
The former South African captain said the team wants to level the series and pick up momentum from the next match.
"It is a huge Test for us and we do not want to lose. We want to draw level, draw level here and then move on to Cape Town. I can speak from my personal perspective and there is a huge motivation. Playing at my home ground is another reason," he added.
Pollock insisted that his team's bowling is not as bad as it was being made out in the media.
"If you look at our attack at the Wanderers, it had variety. [Makhaya] Ntini could shape it in; [Dale] Steyn could take it out, [Andre] Nel brings out from a height and I bowl differently; Jacques Kallis is an outswing bowler. It is bit of a media talk and we do not lack in variation.
"We are very keen to improve on our performances and need to improve by 20 to 30 per cent. A score of 84 is unheard of by us especially back home. But we do not want to focus too much on it, we want to hit right areas and it is really a different kind of wicket," he said.
Pollock praised the Indian bowling attack though he does not think that it is the best pace attack they have sent to South Africa.
"S Sreesanth technically is very good, he bowls with a high action, the ball comes out of his hand lovely and he always has a chance of something coming good for him. If India can manage him well he will play a big part.
"But as far as the best fast bowling attack we have seen, I would always rate [Javagal] Srinath as the best fast bowler India has produced. He was remarkable over the years, he could make the ball talk, not only in seamer-friendly conditions but also on flat wickets in India," he said.
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