South African captain Shaun Pollock had good cause for elation after his side ended their losing streak in Australia with a four-wicket victory over the home team in the second game of the VB Series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

"It is great to get a win under the belt, particularly early on in the One-Day series," he said. "Hopefully the team will build on it now. It was a good effort to restrict Australia to under 200. It was a much improved bowling and fielding display.

"Everyone came on board. We fielded well and there were a couple of run-outs which was good for us," said Pollock, who took the man of the match award with bowling figures of three for 25.

He said the batting line-up had made a balanced attack on the target: "Jonty played well and everyone chipped in to build partnerships," adding that Australia had bowled their main strike bowlers up front. "So we knew the fifth bowler would have some overs left, so there was no need for us to take unnecessary risks."

Pollock dismissed the tag of "chokers" which is routinely attached to South African teams in Australia.

South Africa had one injury scare during the match when Jacques Kallis turned on his right ankle ducking an Andy Bichel bouncer. With South Africa's next match against New Zealand on Tuesday, Kallis must be regarded as a doubtful starter although Pollock said that he had been walking around in the dressing room without too much pain.

Losing captain Steve Waugh acknowledged that Australia's batting had let them down.

"We knew 220 would be a good score," he said. "We fought back well in the middle, but the last 10 overs were a problem.

"The wicket was a bit up and down, not very good for strokeplay. But it was bad batting. I just don't think we respect our wicket enough - we're playing too many loose shots.

"There are always going to be run-outs in the one-day game because you're trying to create opportunities for runs and that would happen, especially with world-class fielders like Gibbs and Rhodes, but we'd prefer to see fewer run-outs."

Asked whether the two losses in a row would make them change their rotation policy, Waugh said he would be happy to keep mixing it around. "I'm not a selector here in Australia, but I would think they will stick to the policy. I think you have to believe in your beliefs and your choices and there is no need to hit the panic button. We're looking at the bigger picture."

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