"It was a big win from a runs point of view. But a win is a win and you know games like that don't happen very often -- perhaps once or twice in a career," Hashim Amla said at Buffalo Park on Tuesday.

The hosts thrashed the tourists by 148 runs in the second ODI at the Wanderers, courtesy of the fastest ODI hundred in history from AB de Villiers. The Proteas posted the second highest total in the 50-over format with 439 for two as records tumbled on the day.

The West Indies' confidence would surely have taken a dent, but Amla said the Caribbean outfit could still be considered dangerous.

"That type of game could be difficult for any team to be on the receiving end. The West Indies are a powerful team with the batters they have. The next day they could turn up and make life very difficult for us."

South Africa lead the five-match series 2-0, and have the chance to win the series with two games remaining.

Their World Cup opening game against Zimbabwe was less than a month away and Amla said it was important for the Proteas to pick up that winning habit.

"It will be great to get three wins in a row going to the World Cup," he said.

"You need to have good momentum and get into the rhythm of being able to win match after match. You want to make sure you go through to the qualifying rounds in good positions.

"With that in mind, it's really important to win this game to keep this winning mindset."

Conditions at the coastal venue would be a stark contrast to those of the batsman-friendly Highveld ground, and Amla said the Proteas would adjust accordingly.

"Generally the scores here are a lot lower. The outfield is a bit bigger and a bit slower. The wicket itself is a bit slower than what we're used to elsewhere in the country. So it's a different mindset coming into this game, where it will probably be a lot harder to bat.

"On the bowling front, there's not a lot of assistance for the seam bowlers, and a different set of skills is needed."