Wiaan Mulder and Proteas looking to reset ahead of Test series in Zimbabwe

The Proteas came home from London with their first ICC trophy in 27 years and had plenty of celebration assignments with fans and sponsors in the last week.

The players had a few days to spend at home before flying out to Zimbabwe and Mulder is adamant that the squad will be ready to perform when the first Test gets underway at the Queen's Sports Club.

Speaking to the media from Bulawayo, the all-rounder said: "When it comes to celebrations, it was the best I've ever celebrated for a Test win and it's probably the best biggest Test in my life.

"So I really, really loved it and made sure we cashed in from that side.

"But to reset is very important, I think, (especially) for some of the guys that played in that Test to reset mentally is more important than anything else.

"And I think the couple of days we had after at home was very important to come back to reality.

"When we're at the WTC, any ICC event really, you get treated like royalty. And that's not real life, to be honest. I don't think we dwell too much on what happened in the past.

"I think this team in particular tries to stay in the present because that's what's given us that character to keep coming back.

"We're sometimes behind the eight ball, I'd say. So I don't think the guys here are going to struggle with a reset. I think personally for me, it was just to refresh and get my mind ready and maybe go step away from cricket a bit, because that high was extremely high."

The Proteas have decided to rest a few senior players for the series against their African neighbours with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen all missing.

There are five uncapped players in the Proteas' squad while spinner Keshav Maharaj will take over captaincy duties with Temba Bavuma sidelined with a hamstring injury.

Mulder feels it is important that the new players take up the challenge that has been set as the newly crowned world Test champions.

"I think there's a lot of guys here who wants to prove a point, why they're here, and how well they've played over the last couple of domestic seasons to get here," Mulder said.

"We look at ourselves as world champions. That's the standard we set for ourselves. So even at today's practice, everybody has that in the back of their mind that we're training like we're the best in the world, not like we're trying to, you know, become something new.

"We compete in every practice and I'm pretty sure when we get into that Test match, the guys that are going to fill a spot or take someone like Ricks (Rickelton) or Marco (Jansen) are going to put them under pressure when they come back."

READ MORE: Mandla Mashimbyi downplays batting struggles for Proteas Women