Opening batsman Stephen Cook says the Proteas need to finish the job and clinch a series whitewash against Sri Lanka in the third Test at the Wanderers.

Cook says that the Proteas are fired up and ready for the third Test starting on Thursday and are hungry for a whitewash after losing out on one against Australia.

‘We’d love a clean sweep’ Cook said. ‘We have spoken about the importance of being 2-0 up and finishing the job. We spoke about it in Australia and didn’t do the business. It’s first and foremost on the guys’ minds; we know the conditions have suited us and we have been playing some good cricket and when opportunities present themselves to dominate, that is what we are looking to do.’

The opener believed that the moist conditions will add to the spectacle of the match.

‘Particularly this season, there have been a few cracks around,’ he said, ‘especially when it has been drier, so maybe this moist weather will keep them together a bit more. There ought to be the usual pace and bounce. It might be a little bit slow to start the game but, generally, on day two and day three it tends to quicken up.’

The 34-year-old says it will be a ‘dream come true’ to walk out to bat at his home ground, which will also host Hashim Amla’s 100th Test match for South Africa.

‘It’s a proper dream come true,’ he said. ‘This is my second home, I grew up on the banks here and it has been well documented that I have spent my whole career here. To be able to walk out and play a Test match for South Africa here is fantastic. There is no extra pressure, only natural pressure with it being a Test match.

‘There have been many a day here that I have sat here playing in front of empty stands thinking it would be a great place to play in front of a packed house. Hopefully the guys come out and support this Test match and that part of the dream can be fulfilled.’