"We don't want you in the World Cup to add numbers and just become a bunch of losers," Mbalula reportedly said.
"You are not going to be playing with robots, you are playing with people," he said of the "special and chosen ones".
"It does not mean you are irreplaceable but all of you are capable of doing the duty for us."
The Proteas have had memorable runs in previous ODI cups for all the wrong reasons.
In the 1992 tournament, they were victims of a controversial revised total system.
A loss to the Black Caps in the quarter-finals followed in 2011 but the worst mental meltdown came at the hands of the Australians in the 1999 semifinal.
"Forget about 1992. Forget about what happened in Bangladesh when Allan Donald and Lance Klusener could not get us over the line," Mbalula said.
"To AB and your bunch of winners: you are not playing against cows, You are not playing against donkeys. Don't undermine any of them. Go and win it for us."
Enough said. Let's cut to the chase then with Ford Trophy-winning coach Malan.
Can South Africa do it in New Zealand and Australia this year?
"They have as best a chance as ever to do well," Malan says.
"Whichever four teams get into the semis and execute their skills best under pressure is what it's going to come down to."
For whatever reasons the Kallises and Kluseners couldn't accomplish the goal, the current crop of Proteas boast the world's top ODI bowler in Dale Steyn and top 10 Morne Morkel.
South Africa play Zimbabwe in Hamilton tomorrow in their opening day-nighter but face top-tier nations India, Pakistan and West Indies in pool B.
Malan says the play-off contenders will have done their homework with 11 to 15 players offering versatility for a "horses for courses" scenario.
"What we've seen with the Stags in the white-ball campaign is that it takes a good squad to win and I've been saying that for the past few years."
He believes the Mike Hesson-coached Black Caps have been mixing players for the depth.
The Australia conditions of hot days and bouncy wickets will suit the Proteas more than the Kiwi variables.
"In New Zealand, the weather plays up with rain and wind and the wickets are not that quick and bouncy."
Malan says ODIs are always about runs and, in this era, anyone from No1 to N11 can wield a bat with confidence.
He calls the 8-9 batting area the "engine room" capable of getting teams across that line in setting a target or chasing down one.
The Proteas boast De Villiers, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock among a formidable line-up to rival New Zealand, Australia, Sri Lanka and India.
"On the flip side, there are two new balls so striking early with them is important," he says, adding Mitchell McClenagan, Adam Milne, Trent Boult and Tim Southee fit the bill.
Throw in veterans Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and Grant Elliott in the middle stages and the Kiwis look imposing.
With the field restrictions of four outside the ring and two new balls, Malan feels every bowler has his work cut out or they'll go for sixes.
Overall, coaches and selectors will have to do their homework on combinations and contributors.
"Players in every situation will be withdrawing from a bank account to say we've done it and we can do it again in the art of high performance where preparation equals execution."
Fans shouldn't read much into all the warm-up matches.
With eight quality teams in contention, it is imperative line-ups bring their A game, every game, in every possible scenario to lift the ICC trophy on March 29 in Melbourne, he says.
Critics, including Shane Warne and New Zealand Cricket, have queried the quality of Kookaburra balls, with seams that tend to disintegrate and lose shape too easily.
Manufacturers in England (Dukes) and India (SG) are keen to cut into Kookaburra's market but Malan says the white balls have been okay for CD.
The weight and size of bats also have come under scrutiny.
"I don't know of too many bowlers who will disagree with that," he says with laugh.
