South Africa batsman David Miller said his team's hop to Dubai and back ahead of their Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to New Zealand in Lahore was "not ideal".
The tangled scheduling of the event came into question as Australia and South Africa both had to fly to Dubai from Pakistan ahead of the semi-finals.
South Africa were there for less than 24 hours before jetting back again without playing a game.
Australia stayed and lost in the last four to India.
The haphazard scheduling was a result of India playing all their games in Dubai after refusing to travel to tournament hosts Pakistan for political reasons.
"It's only an hour and 40 minute flight, but the fact that we had to do that was not ideal," Miller said after South Africa lost to New Zealand on Wednesday by 50 runs.
South Africa made what was ultimately a wasted trip soon after defeating England in Karachi on Saturday.
"It's early morning, it's after a game and we had to fly. Then we got to Dubai at 4:00 pm.
"And at 7.30 am we had to come back. It doesn't make it nice.
"It's not like we flew five hours, and we had enough time to recover and recuperate, but it was not an ideal situation still."
Miller smashed a 67-ball 100 not out in a lost cause as South Africa went down to New Zealand, who will face India in Sunday's final in Dubai.
The Black Caps scored the highest-ever Champions Trophy total of 362-6 on the back of sparkling centuries from Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson.
Temba Bavuma (56) and Rassie van der Dussen (69) steadied the South African innings with a 105-run second-wicket stand before New Zealand's spinners, led by Mitchell Santner's 3-43, restricted them to 312-9 in 50 overs.
"It's not easy chasing 360 even if it's a good wicket," said Miller, who struck four sixes and 10 fours in his seventh ODI hundred.
"I think the wicket just deteriorated as the game went on and they spun the ball a lot more than us," said Miller.
"It's just they got a little bit more purchase out of the wicket."
Miller predicted a "great" final, adding: "I'll be honest with you, I think I'll be supporting New Zealand."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mNARPo-JVxs
Coach Walter bemoans execution in semi-final loss
South African head coach Rob Walter refused to admit his team lacked in effort during Wednesday's 50-run defeat in the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand in Lahore.
South Africa were once again sunk in the knock-out stages of a major global tournament as their opponents posted an imposing 362-6 -- the highest-ever score in the tournament's history -- before the Proteas replied with 312-9 in their 50 overs.
"We could bemoan our execution a little bit, but certainly you'll never question the effort of the guys," said Walter.
Walter reckoned the 164-run second wicket stand between centurions Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson set up New Zealand.
"We sort of threw whatever we could at them but unfortunately we couldn't break that partnership which really set them up to push towards the end," he said.
Ravindra scored 108 and Williamson 102, before Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49 not out) helped New Zealand pile on 110 runs in the last ten overs.
New Zealand will now face India in the final in Dubai on Sunday.
Walter said the South African bowlers tried to stem the flow of runs.
"We certainly tried to change the pace but I think the ball wasn't really gripping at that stage in the early phases, so the ball kept sliding on.
"I mean, it was a pretty good batting wicket. I don't think you can score 360 if it's not a good batting wicket. So no, through no lack of effort, I don't think."
New Zealand then made the target even more daunting with skipper Mitchell Santner taking the key wickets of Temba Bavuma (56), Rassie van der Dussen (69) and Heinrich Klaasen (three) inside 30 overs.
David Miller smashed an unbeaten 67-ball 100 with four sixes and ten boundaries but it was too little, too late.
Walter admitted losing wickets regularly after a 105-run second-wicket stand between Bavuma and Van der Dussen hurt South Africa.
"We just lost a few key wickets in the middle," said Walter of South Africa's slump from 125-1 to 189-5.
Walter praised New Zealand's spinners who shared seven wickets between them.
"Blackcap spinners have bowled well for the whole competition thus far," said Walter.
"Santner is a quality operator and the ball did spin a bit more in the second innings, no doubt about that."