Johannesburg, Mar 20 (ANI): South African spinner Robin Peterson has backed national team's rotation policy in the one-day format despite their recent inconsistencies in the 50-over format.

South Africa has steadily slipped down the world rankings over the past few months after five defeats in their last nine matches, and 10 in total over the past year, Sport24 reports.

For the ongoing series against Pakistan, they are without rested all-rounder Jacques Kallis, but the selectors have regularly given players a break in recent months and the likes of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel have missed out even though the introduction of new faces has not been as prominent as it has in the national Twenty20 side.

Peterson said the one-day team has changed a lot over the past 12 months, from giving guys a break and due to injuries, adding it's easy to be settled in the Test team because it's been pretty much the same 15 together for the past two years.

Peterson added both policies have merits and he thinks the next two years are going to be important for South Africa in one-day cricket, adding you need to know what you have in reserve, and it's an opportunity for players to come up and gain that experience.

The left-arm spinner further said that personally he thinks they are doing it right at the moment.

The Proteas, who lead the tourists 2-1 ahead of the fourth game of their five-match ODI series in Durban on Thursday, were dealt a blow after news that T20 captain Faf du Plessis would be out for six weeks due to lower back problems. (ANI)