And although the World Cup final at Lord's next year is some 14 months away, the plans and prepartion laid in this series is all part of strategy to win the big limited-overs prize.
Yet there is the hint of a warning that Pakistan will offer serious competition when the two meet in the shadows of Table Mountain and what is left of the oaks.
And although Cronje did not quite get the figure right, his reference to Pakistan's 1992 World Cup triumph under Imran Khan in the vast Melbourne Cricket Ground, is a valid one. Pakistan lost three (not four) matches in the run up to the semi-finals, squeezing out Australia and West Indies on net run rate.
When they left the Gabba in Brisbane after losing to South Africa in a rain-affected result, the eventual title-holders looked to be a beaten rabble. They dragged their kit bags into the car park and had to push their two mini-buses out of the mud. It was not a pretty sight.
Cronje had a good view of the Pakistanis hasty departure from the South African dressing room.
No doubt what transpired later as Pakistan went on to beat England in the final has resurfaced to cause a spark of concern in the South African captain's thoughts.
``We have found that when it comes to them (Pakistan) they are usually at their best,'' he said. ``When there seems to be dissension in the camp they have come out and played well.
``This (final) gives them another opportunity to come out and show us what and who thay are and that they are right up their among the top two or three one-day sides in the world,'' he added.
Pakistan have also given themselves a chance of coming back with three of their bowlers, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed ranked among the top 10 at ODI level, although Waqar's figures have taken a hammering in this particular slog event.
He did not take took kindly to being dropped for the SuperSport Centurion game against South Africa.
Yet South Africa, exuding a confidence rather than arrogance, have given glimpses of thew sort of form which has seen them move ahead of Australia and West Indies on the ODI world rankings chart. They made four changes on Sunday at Springbok Park yet beat Sri Lanka with alarming ease.
``Our squad has been selected with this series in mind,'' Cronje confirmed. ``What has pleased me and Bob (Woolmer, the team's coach) is the way Steve Elworthy and Roger Telemachus have come through as support and replacements, when needed, for Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.
``I think it says a lot about our depth in the one-day game.''