Kwena Maphaka feels Proteas need small improvements ahead of 2nd T20I against Australia

The Proteas fell to a 17-run defeat in the opening clash at the Marrara Stadium in Darwin on Sunday with the 19-year-old Maphaka registering figures of 4-20 in his four overs.

It was the left-arm fast bowler's best display in international cricket in which he has now played two Test matches, two ODIs and nine T20Is.

Maphaka has been tipped as one of the future stars in South Africa but has had tough outings on the biggest stage before his four-wicket haul against the Aussies.

He told reporters from Darwin: "The most important part is just really accepting the fact that you're going to have bad days, you're going to have good days, and it's just sticking to your game plan and sticking to whatever you do best.

"I'm not going to be the best player in the world overnight, and I understand that. It's all about growing as a player day by day, and just keeping focus on the grind and what I have to do to make myself better on a daily basis."

The Proteas had their moments in the first game of the series, they reduced Australia to 71-6 but the hosts still managed amass a total of 178.

The visitors then found themselves at 120-3 in the 15th over in the run-chase but were restricted to 161-9 as a glut of wickets fell as the required-rate escalated.

Maphaka is sure the Proteas only need small improvements ahead of Tuesday's make-or-break clash at the same venue.

"We obviously fell short in the game, but there were still a lot of positives, and it's just about understanding the game a little bit better," he said.

"Reading into the one percenters, what Australia did that we didn't do as well, and what we can work forward to, and I think it's going to be a really good game tomorrow."