In spite of winning both the T20 and One-Day International series, South Africa don't hold any significant psychological advantage going into the four-Test rubber against hosts India, said visiting team opener Stiaan Van Zyl.
"The (South African) boys are confident after playing well in ODIs and T20s, but Test match is a different ball game. I think India will be up for the challenge," said the five-Test-old opener after the squad's practise session ahead of the two-day game against Board President's XI from Friday.
"Coming here and playing against the quality players - the (Virat) Kohlis of the world - is a great challenge. They (Indians) know what to do in their backyard," said the 28-year-old cricketer who scored a century on his Test debut against the West Indies last year after having made his first class debut in 2006.
He expects spin bowling to pose a significant challenge to him and other teammates and said he had a decent stint earlier this year with the South Africa A squad.
"Yes, definitely. Coming here it's obvious wickets are different, a lot slower and spin a lot," said the converted left landed batsman who is a natural right hander in most other walks of life, including right arm medium pace bowling.
"I had a decent outing in Kerala (at Wayanad with the A team against India A where he even made a 96), got a bit of confidence going into the big (four-Test) series. I did okay in subcontinent (including two Tests in Bangladesh), but obviously it's a different kind of challenge."
"It's about spending batting time in the middle against the spinners and backing my skills," he said about his knock of 96.