The Proteas went into the series without many of their top stars includin David Miller, Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada and Tabraiz Shamsi.

Proteas focused on learning

They suffered successive losses to open the series rendering the third match, taking place on Tuesday, a dead rubber.

Hendricks believes that it is important to learn lessons from the defeats and grow as a team.

“It’s great exposure for them in international cricket, with a few players getting opportunities,” Hendricks said.

“Now they can see what international cricket is about and some of them have put their hands up and contributed, so there are a lot of positives for those guys.

“From here they can only go from strength to strength and take the learnings from this series going forward.”

Losing their way

After a second loss at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy Stadium in Tarouba, skipper Aiden Markram said that his team will always show guts and a never-say-die attitude.

Markram was happy with the start provided by Hendricks and Ryan Rickleton but felt that the team lost their way in the middle overs.

“Somewhere in the middle overs [the balance shifted]. We did well in the powerplay, which is really nice to see compared to the other evening. [Williams] has been around for a while; proper competitor. It’s tough to put a finger on the learnings right now. One thing guaranteed with us is a never-say-die attitude.”

What’s next for the Proteas?

The Proteas round off their engagements in the Caribbean with the third T20I against the West Indies on Tuesday evening.

Following this series, the Proteas will head home before repairing to the UAE for a pair of white-ball series.

The Proteas will face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series played in Sharjah between 18 and 22 September.

They will then face Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs which will all be staged in Abu Dhabi.

The home summer begins with a World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka which gets underway on 27 November at Kingsmead in Durban.

Are efforts to build depth working for the Proteas?

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Smith says that the ultimate format is close to his heart having led the Proteas to No 1 in the world in Test cricket.

He also captained South Africa in over 100 Tests and knows what it takes to be a success.

Test cricket needs to be protected

Firstly, Smith wants to see the Proteas performing well in Test cricket and keeping pace with the world powers.

“Test cricket is crucially important to me and my past career, having captained over 100 Tests and been No. 1 in the world. The legacy of seeing player going on to do well in Tests for South Africa is hugely important to me,” Smith told Betway.

Smith feels that the format will get harder for nations outside of England, India and Australia who have made big efforts to keep Test cricket at the heart of their game.

“It’s not only South Africa. For all countries outside of England, India and Australia, Test cricket is going to get harder and harder to facilitate with schedules, expenses and the way the money flows. The governing bodies need to think about how they protect six or seven nations in the Test group, because if it’s competitive, people will always want to watch. It’s an incredible format that keeps you enthralled for a number of days,” Smith added.

What we can control

Smith adds that building red-ball depth is something that South African cricket can control.

“You have got to think about what you can control.

“We aren’t involved in the decision making on Test cricket, but we can keep South African cricket strong by making sure there are 50 or 60 great cricketers that they can select from to keep the national team competitive in white ball and Test cricket,” Smith added.

West Indies a window into future of Test cricket

Smith feels that the West Indies provide a window into the future of the game especially when it comes to Tests.

“I think free agency in the West Indies is way ahead of everybody else,” Smith continued.

“With the nature of cricket in that country, a lot of players have been free agents, been attracted by the T20 opportunities, and outside of England, India and Australia it potentially highlights what your future may look like.

“What you get is you get a lot of young, energetic players playing Test cricket but the quality and the experience is not there to compete.

“Test cricket is the ultimate test of your mental and physical skills. There’s nowhere to hide.

“If you can’t play the short ball, you’re going to get exposed.

He also said: “It’s less entertainment, more a test of all your capabilities. Ultimately the challenge for the world game is to establish what that future looks like.”

Can Test cricket be preserved?

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Smith found bowlers, Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj particularly impressive.

Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj star for Proteas

He feels the two experienced bowlers are pillars of this team.

“The highlight of South Africa’s Test series win over the West Indies was seeing two experienced campaigners perform well in Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj,” Smith told Betway.

“I think those two are key pillars for this team. The batting is currently the nervous point for South Africa, and it wasn’t flashy but there were enough positives in there to see progression from the batters. South Africa aren’t playing a lot of Test cricket, but it’s important that they keep building on the positive story after a really successful T20 World Cup.”

Learning from the Springboks

Smith believes that the Proteas can take a leaf out of the Springboks book when it comes to developing depth.

“There’s so much cricket that’s being played now, so I think it was a good decision for South Africa to rest a couple of players.

“With the amount of cricket being played, the players don’t have periods where they work on their body, their mind and their techniques. South African cricket took a decision over players like Marco Jansen where they decided he needed a block to get fitter, stronger, and to work on a few technical things in a bit of a training period.

“It’s a huge lesson learned from the Springboks. They’ve developed a huge talent base, and obviously they’ve got quality coming through.

“Rassie Erasmus’ unique ability is that he doesn’t always play the best team every week – he’s developed incredible squad depth where anyone can come in and produce at a certain level.

“That’s where Betway SA20 comes in, as well. We said from the start, if we can put 60 to 70 players on the global stage instead of only 12 to 15, you suddenly start to have a talent pool that challenges every week.

“From a coach’s perspective, they will have learned valuable lessons about the next tier of players and for the bigger series coming up, it’s important to have that knowledge.

“Although the West Indies aren’t seen as the strongest Test team in the world, any time you travel to someone else’s environment, it’s about adapting to a different style of cricket and winning away from home.

“That comes with elements of resilience, planning and ability to perform in someone else’s backyard. It was exciting to get another positive story and win.”

Are the Proteas on the right track?

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After being named captain of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, Amla kicked off the 2004–2005 South African domestic season by scoring four centuries in his first eight innings. His success at the domestic level paved the way for his selection to the Proteas at the age of 21, making him the first South African of Indian descent to represent the country in international cricket.

Hashim Amla is now a batting coach

Amla made his debut at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2004, but faced initial struggles, drawing criticism for his technique.

The former batter scored just 36 runs in the 2004 series against England. However, following dedicated work with the Dolphins, he silenced his critics in 2006 with a remarkable comeback, scoring 149 against New Zealand at Newlands, Cape Town, helping South Africa secure a match-saving draw.

Hashim Amla’s success earned him a national contract, and he became a mainstay in the Proteas’ Test batting lineup.

During the Proteas’ tour of England, the Durban-born ex-cricketer achieved the highest-ever Test score by a South African, notching the country’s first triple century with an unbeaten 311. He scored the triple century at The Oval in 2012, leading the Proteas to a resounding victory over England.

In August 2019, Amla announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. Subsequently, in 2020, he retired from all forms of cricket and transitioned into coaching.

In 2023, Hashim Amla was appointed as the batting coach of the DP World Lions. The 41-year-old signed a three-year deal with the Gauteng franchise and will work with his former coach Russell Domingo.

Should Amla become the Proteas’ batting coach in the future?

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Meanwhile off-spinner Dane Piedt is up nine places to 66th after claiming two West Indies wickets in the second innings of the match.

Proteas and Windies bowlers make gains

Fast bowler Jayden Seales of the West Indies has moved up to a career-best 13th position in the ICC Men’s Test Bowling Rankings after finishing as the most successful bowler.

Seales, who finished with nine wickets in a 40-run loss that helped South Africa win the ICC World Test Championship series 1-0, has moved up 13 places to become the top-ranked Test bowler from the West Indies.

Spinners Jomel Warrican (52nd) and Gudakesh Motie (64th) have advanced two spots each while fast bowler Shamar Joseph has progressed 11 spots to 54th in other significant movements for the West Indies players in the bowling rankings.

Batters inch up the ICC Rankings

In the Test batting rankings, Proteas opener Aiden Markram and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne have gained after notching half-centuries in the second innings. Markram inched up two places to 21st while Verreynne has progressed from 62nd to 46th.

Former West Indies captain Jason Holder is up seven places to 60th position in the batting rankings following his knock of 54 not out in the first innings. He is also up two places to fifth in the list of all-rounders.

In the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings, Scott Edwards of the Netherlands has moved up six places to 26th position after scores of 72 versus Canada and 65 versus the USA in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2.

Aaron Jones of the USA (up 11 places to 56th) and Vikramjit Singh of the Netherlands (up nine places to 79th) are others to move up the batting rankings while Aryan Dutt of the Netherlands is up five places to 33rd.

In the ICC World Test Championship, South Africa are in fifth position with 38.89 percentage points after six matches while the West Indies are last in the nine-team championship with 18.52 after nine.

India lead the table with 68.52 percentage points after nine matches and Australia in second place with 62.50 after 12 outings. New Zealand and Sri Lanka are the other teams ahead of South Africa.

Are the ICC Rankings an accurate reflection of form?

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The 34-year-old has not featured for South Africa in the T20 since last year September and was also not part of the squad that reached the finals of the T20 World Cup in June. Having scored nearly 300 in his last four Test innings, Proteas veteran Temba Bavuma is looking sharper in red-ball cricket than he has ever been.

Bavuma said he was not surprised to be excluded from the T20 squad.

“It’s not a surprise that I’m not there, but me being in the T20 squad would’ve raised more eyebrows. It’s better that way that I’m not there. My focus now is on Test cricket and I’m going to try to play as best as I can in the format,” Bavuma said as per ESPN Cricinfo.

Temba Bavuma will once again lead the Proteas in the second Test against West Indies which starts on Thursday. The first Test match ended in a draw after rain interrupted three of the five days.

Having scored 171 against the Windies last year, Bavuma continued where he left off by scoring 86 in the first innings of the first Test. He was unfortunate not to get his third 100 of his career.

Temba Bavuma is still the captain of the Proteas’ Test and ODI squads

Although he no longer in the T20 team, the Langa-born batman is still the captain of the One Day International squad.

“There’s also 50-over cricket that’s coming in the next few months and the one thing that I can trust is that if I get going in Test and 50-over cricket, everything else will follow from there. It’s not a surprise that I’m not in the T20 squad,” said Bavuma.

Temba Bavuma and his men will look to win another series over West Indies as Proteas look to climb in the Test rankings.

The first Test match will start on Wednesday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago. The Proteas will play their first Test match since going down 2-0 to New Zealand earlier in the year. Most of the squad members were not present during the last series having committed to the Betway SA20 competition.

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad said he was happy with how his side played against West Indies Invitational XV.

“It was a good exercise,” he said. “It was a good wicket, if a bit flat, but the most important thing was to spend time out in the middle. We wanted to expose the bowlers who haven’t had a lot of mileage recently, while the bulk of the batters got to spend time in the middle as well.

“You could say we got everything that we wanted out of it. All in all, I’m really happy.”

Proteas and West Indies square off

The Proteas are expected to add to their batting lineup including the likes of Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham.

“Tristan is going to be backed there,” Conrad added as per The Citizen.

“He’s got the technique and the psyche to bat at three. I’m confident he’s going to come good. He’s a big, strong boy, he’s imposing and he’s got a strong aura … I’m going down this road with him, and I’m confident we’ll reap the rewards.”

What time does South Africa play West Indies?

The first Proteas’ Test match against the West Indies will start on Wednesday(7 August) at 16:00. With regular opener Dean Elgar having retired, South Africa will likely open the batting with Aiden Markram and Tony de Zorzi. Stubbs or Bedingham could occupy third with Captain Temba Bavuma playing at number four.

Ngidi felt that the hosts had put out a very good XI for the Proteas to limber up against and made it clear that a tough Test series awaits.

Proteas ready to adapt and thrive

Still, the Proteas remain confident of a strong performance in the forthcoming World Test Championship series.

“It is exactly what I was expecting, [there were] no surprises, they’re a good team,” Ngidi said from the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad.

“It is always competitive especially if teams are playing at home, they have the crowd behind them, but we are here to compete, they will put their best foot forward, and so will we,” Ngidi said after the match.

Test cricket’s challenges

Ngidi said that a big part of bowling in Test cricket is how quickly a bowler can find their line and length on any strip.

“Any conditions you come across [will require] you find a way,” Ngidi said.

“We didn’t know what to expect, it turned out on the slower side so we had to adapt our plans to what we had in front of us, we did pretty well and it is something we will look to do in the first Test as well,”

Ngidi made the most of being given the new ball in the second innings, snatching three scalps in just four overs.

His performance will give skipper Temba Bavuma something to think about when it comes to how to use his fast bowlers.

Proteas pace department

Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada and Nandre Burger look likely to make up a frontline pace trio for the first Test against the West Indies. Keshav Maharaj should slot in as the fourth specialist bowler while Wiaan Mulder will offer an additional seam option as an allrounder.

“I was told I would be taking the new ball, which changed things in the team for us to adapt to bowling at different stages in the innings,” Ngidi said.

“The ball seemed to be doing a bit more for me than in the first innings, so I tried to capitalise on that and use the conditions as best I could.

“In Test cricket, the ball is going to swing, so you learn from a young age how to try to control it. It’s about finding an area on the wicket to hit if it is swinging, and if not, then finding a different area to hit,” he said.

Should Lungi Ngidi take the new ball?

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The 47-year-old coach has played 66 Tests and 52 One Day Internationals for the Proteas during his nine years with the national team. He was more prolific in red-ball cricket, scoring over 3600 runs with an average of 42. Despite his success, Ashwell Prince has lived with the stigma of being called a quota player.

In an interview with Smash Sports, the former Cobras coach said he always felt he needed to prove a point as a non-white player.

“There was always a sort of feeling that you needed to prove that your people or non-white people in this country could play the game,” said Ashwell Prince

“The actual history of the sport runs deep in our communities uhm, yes back and I think sometimes there’s this perception that after unity in 1992, that’s when the sport was introduced to our communities. That’s not the case, our club(Gelvandale) has been there for a very long time. There are clubs in Cape Town that have been around for nearly 100 years.

Ashwell Prince became the Proteas’ first non-white captain in 2006

The former left-handed batsman became the first non-white captain to lead the Proteas in 2006 when he stood in for injured Graeme Smith. He said there was always a perception that he was in the team because of his skin colour.

“When it comes to talent, the man upstairs doesn’t say ‘actually, we will sprinkle a little bit of talent on you guys because you have that skin tone and we will sprinkle less of a talent because you have this skin tone’. No, talent is distributed equally,” Ashwell Prince added.

He made his Test debut against Australia in 2002 and said the journey felt lonely and confusing.

“A few games in, you get the sense that maybe that was a feeling underlining somewhere that other people would have been better options. You go through your career and quite often you get that feeling.”

“When you go out on the pitch, it’s a single-minded approach that you’re taking on because the only way I can prove to my teammate that I deserve to be here, the only way I can prove that Coloured people and Black can play this game at this level to this standard is required, is that I have to do the things that are acceptable for a number five or six batsman.”

Prince scored 11 Test 100s in 66 matches for SA

Ashwell Prince admitted that he never enjoyed his milestone as for him, it felt more of a survival playing for the Proteas.

“Sometimes when I look back at my career, I can definitely say that I didn’t enjoy[my accomplishments], he said. “Even the 100s, even the great moments, I didn’t celebrate as a sense of enjoyment but sense of relief.”

“I remember having the thought that ‘I cannot end my Test career with an average of 16 and a high score of 49’ because the general thought would be like ‘you were there because of colour’ and also, ‘we told you so’.It’s not your teammate that necessarily create this environment, it’s just that the country is coming from this place to another place.”

Makhaya Ntini was born and raised in a village called Mdingi, near East London. At the age of 15, he was first spotted by Border Cricket Board official Raymond Booi. Booi was impressed by the barefooted Makhaya and contacted his seniors to place the young player in a cricket festival in Queenstown.

A few years later, Ntini represented the South Africa Under-19 squad and later got a call-up to the senior side, becoming the first black player to represent the Proteas. From then on, the fast bowler spearheaded South Africa’s bowling attack together with Shaun Pollock and Allan Donald.

Makhaya Ntini is the third-highest wicket-taker for Proteas in Test cricket

Ntini was an unconventional right-arm bowler who usually bowled at the 140 km/h mark. In 2003, he became the first South African to take 10 wickets at Lord’s. His best performance, however, came when he took 13 wickets for 132 runs against the West Indies in the Port of Spain on 12 April 2005. This remains the most wickets taken by a South African cricketer in a Test match.

In 2011, Makhaya Ntini retired from international cricket at the age of 34. He ended his career with 390 Test wickets and 266 One Day International wickets.

Since retiring from cricket, Ntini has gone into coaching and commentary. In January 2016, he was appointed as the assistant coach of the Zimbabwean national cricket team. He later was elevated to head coach but resigned in 2018.

‘Mdingi Express’ took 10 wickets at Lord’s in 2003

Last year, Makhaya Ntini joined Morrisville Unity in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket USA Masters T10. When he is not coaching, ‘Mdingi Express’ works as a commentator for SuperSport TV.

The two teams have met on number of times during World Cups but never faced each other in a bilateral series. On Wednesday morning, Cricket South Africa (CSA) stated the series which is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates.

“CSA and the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) are pleased to announce a historic three-match ODI series between the Proteas and Afghanistan.” The series will take place from 18 – 22 September in the United Arab Emirates, the statement added.

“The ODI series is the first-ever bilateral series between the two sides with all three matches set to be hosted at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Proteas have faced Afghanistan on two occasions in 50-over cricket during the last two World Cups in 2019 and 2023.
This series will mark their first encounter since South Africa defeated Afghanistan in the semi-final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Trinidad and Tobago last month,” the statement concluded.

Proteas and Afghanistan to face off in UAE in September

CSA Chairman Lawson Naidoo said the association were excited to embark on this historic ODI series with Afghanistan.

“They have become a very competitive all-round team as evidenced by their recent performances in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 and most recently at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. This is a significant milestone in our cricketing relations, and we look forward to a competitive and entertaining series,” he said.

Before the Afghanistan series, the Proteas will play West Indies in the Caribbean.

Fixtures between the Proteas and Afghanistan:

Wednesday, 18 September
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September
Afghanistan vs South Africa – Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Piedt believes that his decision to quit social media has made him much happier.

Dane Piedt says quitting social media was the best thing

He also tries not to let other people’s opinions make an impact on his life.

Piedt feels that he has unlocked a great secret to enjoying himself on and off the park.

“Basically, I don’t give a f**k what people say about me any more,” he said in an interview with the Sunday Times.

“Being off social media also helped. In the past, as a young cricketer, you feed into what those keyboard warriors said about you and how you should bowl.

“However, having a young family gave me perspective on what life is about, and trying to show my young boy that his dad actually achieved something in my life.

“Having [the family] in New Zealand, doing what I did … it all ties in with maturity, that creates the perspective, and not caring what people say about me. It’s given me a lot of joy in the phase of life I’m in.”

Piedt will join the Proteas again for the Test tour of the West Indies.

PROTEAS FIXTURES 2024

AGAINST THE WEST INDIES AWAY

1st Test vs West Indies 7-11 August

2nd Test vs West Indies 15-19 August

1st T20I vs West Indies 23 August

2nd T20I vs West Indies 25 August

3rd T20I vs West Indies 27 August

AGAINST IRELAND IN THE UAE

1st T20I vs Ireland 27 September

2nd T20I vs Ireland 29 September

1st ODI vs Ireland 2 October

2nd ODI vs Ireland 4 October

3rd ODI vs Ireland 7 October

AGAINST SRI LANKA AT HOME

1st Test vs Sri Lanka 27 November – 1 December

2nd Test vs Sri Lanka 5-9 December

AGAINST PAKISTAN AT HOME

1st T20I vs Pakistan 10 December

2nd T20I vs Pakistan 13 December

3rd T20I vs Pakistan 14 December

1st ODI vs Pakistan 17 December

2nd ODI vs Pakistan 19 December

3rd ODI vs Pakistan 22 December

1st Test vs Pakistan 26-30 December

2nd Test vs Pakistan 3-7 January 2025

CAN THE PROTEAS WIN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

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The Proteas play the Windies in a two-Test match series followed by three T20 matches. A strong squad has been selected for the tour but Bavuma knows what challenge awaits the team in the Carribean. The Proteas last played a Test match in January, but the majority of the players were unavailable for the series.

“It’s a challenge that’s not necessarily unique to us and probably something that all the teams outside the big three face. It feels like we’re starting again and again as a team,” said Proteas captain Temba Bavima as per ESPNcricinfo.

“You can hear in terms of the conversations, there’s a lot of reminding ourselves of a philosophy, how we want to play and basically what our blueprint is to winning. It’s nothing that is unique to us as a South African team.”

Proteas redball captain Temba Bavuma excited to face West Indies

“The challenge is we’ve just got to make it work with what we have. We don’t use it as an excuse. I think there’s definitely a lot of excitement from the guys and we’d like to focus on that excitement more than all the other uncontrollable.”

Bavuma suffered an injury while fielding on the first day of the Boxing Day Test against India. The Proteas skipper was was later ruled out of the series with a hamstring strain. Although Temba Bavuma hasn’t featured for the Proteas this year, he played one SA20 match, two first-class games and in the CSA T20 Challenge.

“I’ve come out refreshed over the last couple of months of no cricket,” he said.

Proteas to play West Indies in two Tests

It’s largely been about being in the gym and doing my rehab. I’ve been under rehab for the last two and a half to three months,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma added.

“Mentally, that’s been tough; physically, it’s also been tough but I am quite refreshed and quite excited to have the opportunity again to be out there with the boys.”

Uncapped quick Migael Pretorius, with the experience of 64 first-class games behind him, comes into the team as Coetzee’s replacement.

Gerald Coetzee out of West Indies Tests

Coetzee, signed to the Texas Super Kings, went back home so that Proteas’ medical staff could examine his damaged left side.

He was deemed unable to participate in the Test series, which gets underway on 7 August, according to Cricket South Africa’s confirmation on Thursday.

Pretorius was last selected to a Proteas team in March 2021 for a T20I series against Pakistan, however he did not receive a cap. He also received a national call-up in December 2020 for a Test series in Sri Lanka, but he hurt his shoulder and was unable to make his debut.

In 64 first-class games, Pretorius, 29, has 188 wickets at 27.50. He presently leads Somerset in this season’s English County Championship, with 23 wickets at an average of 39.43.

The Proteas begin the Test series at Port-of-Spain before going to Providence for the second Test. Three T20Is will follow.

Updated Proteas Test squad for West Indies tour

Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne, Migael Pretorius.

PROTEAS FIXTURES 2024

AGAINST THE WEST INDIES AWAY

1st Test vs West Indies 7-11 August

2nd Test vs West Indies 15-19 August

1st T20I vs West Indies 23 August

2nd T20I vs West Indies 25 August

3rd T20I vs West Indies 27 August

AGAINST IRELAND IN THE UAE

1st T20I vs Ireland 27 September

2nd T20I vs Ireland 29 September

1st ODI vs Ireland 2 October

2nd ODI vs Ireland 4 October

3rd ODI vs Ireland 7 October

AGAINST SRI LANKA AT HOME

1st Test vs Sri Lanka 27 November – 1 December

2nd Test vs Sri Lanka 5-9 December

AGAINST PAKISTAN AT HOME

1st T20I vs Pakistan 10 December

2nd T20I vs Pakistan 13 December

3rd T20I vs Pakistan 14 December

1st ODI vs Pakistan 17 December

2nd ODI vs Pakistan 19 December

3rd ODI vs Pakistan 22 December

1st Test vs Pakistan 26-30 December

2nd Test vs Pakistan 3-7 January 2025

CAN THE PROTEAS WIN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

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The Eastern Cape-born former cricket broke into the cricket scene in 1998 and was seen as Allan Donald’s successor but quickly fizzled out. He only played 16 Tests and 21 ODIs for the national team between 1998 and 2004. The 47-year-old was devastating in red-ball cricket, taking 54 wickets in just 16 Test matches for the Proteas.

After getting dropped in 2004, Nantie Hayward never really rediscovered his form, which saw him force his way into the Proteas lineup. With the emergence of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the late 2000s, Nantie was unable to claw his way back into the national team.

Before getting into professional cricket, the former fast bowler was a baseball. He quickly switched to cricket in the mid-90s and fast-tracked into the system very fast. After getting dropped by the Proteas, Nantie Hayward mostly played his cricket in England before he retired from the game in 2012.

After quitting the game, the ex-Proteas star delved into the tyre business for a few years, According to Highway Mail publication. But soon he realised that he still loved cricket and coaching became his new calling.

Nantie Hayward coaching in Durban

“I have been in coaching for a long time, after my playing career,” Hayward told Highway Mail. The ex-Proteas man has been coaching for the past 12 years, having moved back to South Africa.

“I had a stint with Northwest Cricket as an amateur coach for two years. I thought that it would be better to do freelance stuff and not be connected to one provincial set-up.

Ex-Proteas fast bowler based in Durban

“I moved back to the Eastern Cape for a long time and worked with a few young boys, some of whom played the Under-19 World Cup.”

He has been based in Durban for the last three and a half years. “I do a lot of work with bowlers all over South Africa,” he said.

Nantie Hayward works as the director of Cricket at Northwood School where he moulds young cricketing talent to help them reach their full potential.

Piedt believes that his decision to quit social media has made him much happier.

Dane Piedt says quitting social media was the best thing

He also tries not to let other people’s opinions make an impact on his life.

Piedt feels that he has unlocked a great secret to enjoying himself on and off the park.

“Basically, I don’t give a f**k what people say about me any more,” he said in an interview with the Sunday Times.

“Being off social media also helped. In the past, as a young cricketer, you feed into what those keyboard warriors said about you and how you should bowl.

“However, having a young family gave me perspective on what life is about, and trying to show my young boy that his dad actually achieved something in my life.

“Having [the family] in New Zealand, doing what I did … it all ties in with maturity, that creates the perspective, and not caring what people say about me. It’s given me a lot of joy in the phase of life I’m in.”

Piedt will join the Proteas again for the Test tour of the West Indies.

PROTEAS FIXTURES 2024

AGAINST THE WEST INDIES AWAY

1st Test vs West Indies 7-11 August

2nd Test vs West Indies 15-19 August

1st T20I vs West Indies 23 August

2nd T20I vs West Indies 25 August

3rd T20I vs West Indies 27 August

AGAINST IRELAND IN THE UAE

1st T20I vs Ireland 27 September

2nd T20I vs Ireland 29 September

1st ODI vs Ireland 2 October

2nd ODI vs Ireland 4 October

3rd ODI vs Ireland 7 October

AGAINST SRI LANKA AT HOME

1st Test vs Sri Lanka 27 November – 1 December

2nd Test vs Sri Lanka 5-9 December

AGAINST PAKISTAN AT HOME

1st T20I vs Pakistan 10 December

2nd T20I vs Pakistan 13 December

3rd T20I vs Pakistan 14 December

1st ODI vs Pakistan 17 December

2nd ODI vs Pakistan 19 December

3rd ODI vs Pakistan 22 December

1st Test vs Pakistan 26-30 December

2nd Test vs Pakistan 3-7 January 2025

CAN THE PROTEAS WIN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.

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He was known for his reliability as an opener, even though he may not have been the most flamboyant player.

Kirsten made his Test debut against Australia in Melbourne in 1993 and was widely regarded as Proteas‘ best opener before retiring from cricket in 2004.

Gary Kirsten was the first Proteas player to play 100 Tests

During his playing days, Kirsten established himself as a sturdy batsman in both Test cricket and One Day cricket.

He set several records, including the highest score of 275 runs against England.

However, his high score was later surpassed by Graeme Smith when he made 277 against England in 2003.

Gary Kirsten still holds the record for the highest innings by a South African in a One-Day International, scoring 188 not out against the United Arab Emirates during the 1996 World Cup.

He formed a strong opening partnership with Herschelle Gibbs and participated in three ICC World Cups.

Kirsten retired from international cricket in 2004 after crafting a match-winning 76 in his final innings against New Zealand.

He made history by becoming the first-ever Proteas player to play in 100 Tests.

Following his retirement, Gary Kirsten transitioned into coaching and was appointed as India’s national cricket team coach in 2008.

At 43, he helped India win the 2011 Cricket World Cup, defeating Sri Lanka by six wickets and 10 balls to spare.

He later joined the Proteas as a coach but did not renew his contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) after two years, citing family commitments.

Coached in the IPL

Having left the Proteas, Gary Kirsten went to coach in the Indian Premier League for several years

In April 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced Kirsten as the head coach of the Pakistan national cricket team in limited-overs.

This was the first time in over a decade that the former opener was in charge of a national team.

Besides coaching, the former cricketer has his own academy called the Gary Kirsten Cricket.

Since then the format has launched into the stratosphere, becoming the most popular format of the game at least when it comes to TV deals.

Who has taken the most T20I wickets for the Proteas men’s team?

After the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Proteas leading wicket-taker in T20 Internationals is Tabraiz Shamsi.

Shamsi has taken 89 wickets in 70 T20Is, picking up a scalp roughly every 17 balls he bowls.

He is also the fifth most-capped player for the Proteas in the format behind David Miller, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy and AB de Villiers.

Shamsi has one five-wicket haul in the format, taking 5 for 24 against England at the Rose Bowl in 2022.

In second place is Kagiso Rabada who has taken 71 wickets in the format in 65 matches. Incredibly, Rabada has never taken more than three wickets in a single T20I, but he has kept up a consistent rate of gathering victims.

Now retired Dale Steyn comes in at third place with his 64 wickets but he has Lungi Ngidi breathing down his neck.

Ngidi missed out on the T20 World Cup due to workload concerns for a player returning from injury but he will return to the format soon and will likely also move past Steyn shortly having already taken 62 wickets in just 42 matches.

Among players with 50 or more wickets in the format for the Proteas, Ngidi has the second best strike-rate just behind Imran Tahir, who also rounds out the top five wicket-takers in the format for South Africa.

Most wickets

Who is your favourite Proteas player?

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Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke has received his maiden Test call-up after impressing in last season’s domestic four-day competition with 322 runs at an average of 46, including a top score of 188.

The Warriors captain also lead South Africa ‘A’ in a four-day match against India ‘A’ in December. 

Wicketkeeper batter Ryan Rickelton makes his return to the red-ball set-up for the first time since South Africa hosted the West Indies in March 2023. 

All-rounder Marco Jansen has been rested for the series. 

The two-match Test series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship, will be South Africa’s first in the Caribbean since June 2021, which saw them claim a 2-0 series win over the hosts. 

Commenting on the squad, Conrad said: “We are looking forward to returning to Test cricket after a busy period of limited-overs cricket over the past few months. 

“This tour is extremely important for us as we aim to improve our standing in the ICC World Test Championship. We have therefore selected our strongest possible squad and look forward to strong performances in the Caribbean.

“We have one new face in the squad, Matthew Breetzke, who is selected on the back of an excellent past season. 

“The decision to rest Marco Jansen was taken to allow for a conditioning period aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being given the season-long workloads.

“Half of our squad will be part of a camp to be held in Durban next week,” concluded Conrad.

Proteas Test squad against West Indies

Temba Bavuma* (captain, Lions), David Bedingham (Western Province), Matthew Breetzke* (Warriors), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Titans), Tony de Zorzi* (Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), Wiaan Mulder* (Lions), Lungi Ngidi* (Titans), Dane Paterson* (Western Province), Dane Piedt (Knights), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Tristan Stubbs* (Warriors), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), and Kyle Verreynne* (Western Province)

*These players will attend a red-ball camp from 15 to 19 July in Durban. 

The squad will get together in Trinidad and Tobago on 27 July. P

layers competing in the Major League Cricket final on 28 July will join the squad on 29 July. 

Tour Itinerary

Warm-up match

31 July – 3 August at 10:00 (local time) 

West Indies Invitational XI vs South Africa – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago

Test series

7 – 11 August at 10:00 (local time) 

West Indies vs South Africa – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago 

15 – 19 August at 10:00 (local time) 

West Indies vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana 

In the wake of the Proteas’ agonising T20 World Cup final defeat, there have been some rumours on social media to suggest Miller may be set to retire from T20 international cricket.

Miller had of course helped South Africa come within touching distance of a sensational victory, but in the India celebrated a famous win, while the Proteas and their fans were left heartbroken after another gut-wrenching defeat in a major tournament knockout game.

Miller is now 35-years-old, and there have been questions over whether he will have another shot at an ICC title. The big-hitting batsman has now made it clear that he remains available to South Africa.

“Contrary to some reports, I have NOT retired from T20 international cricket. I will continue to be available to play for the Proteas. The best is yet to come!”

Earlier in the week, he shared a post to Instagram in which he reflected on the tournament.

“I am gutted!! Really tough pill to swallow after what transpired two days ago. Words don’t explain how I am feeling. One thing I do know is how proud I am of this unit. This journey was an incredible one, with highs and lows throughout the entire month. We have endured pain, but I know this team has the resilience and will keep raising the bar,” he posted in a heartfelt Instagram story.

David Miller has been through a rollercoaster ride with the Proteas

Onwards and upwards

After a result that was certainly another tough pill to swallow, Proteas captain Aiden Markram spoke about the way forward.

“Hopefully, it’s one step closer. It’s tournament cricket, it’s tough cricket, it’s not easy to win trophies,” Markram said.

“You’ve got to take your hats off to a team like India for lifting the trophy. A lot of hard work goes into it. We’d like to think we’re one step closer and hopefully moving forward we can get that first win and it can be a snowball effect of quite a few to come.”

“I think one thing that I will definitely say is how proud we are. Not just of today, the game itself, but the competition as a whole, the build-up to get here,” Markram said.

“So, in hindsight, things will still feel really good about this competition. However, just for the time being, it stings a bit, but it’s good for it to sting.

“It gives you that little bit of fire in the belly for the next time that you’re here.”

Miller had of course helped the Proteas come within touching distance of a sensational victory, but when he was dismissed off the first ball of the final over – as the result of a stunning, albeit somewhat controversial catch on the boundary – it effectively ended the game as a contest.

In the end, India celebrated a famous win, while the Proteas and their fans were left heartbroken after another gut-wrenching defeat in a major tournament knockout game.

Miller is now 35-years-old, and there have been questions over whether he will have another shot at an ICC title, while this week there have been some rumours on social media to suggest he may have retired from T20 international cricket.

However, he has now shared a post to Instagram, which provides no indication that he is thinking of retirement just yet.

“I am gutted!! Really tough pill to swallow after what transpired two days ago. Words don’t explain how I am feeling. One thing I do know is how proud I am of this unit. This journey was an incredible one, with highs and lows throughout the entire month. We have endured pain, but I know this team has the resilience and will keep raising the bar,” he posted in a heartfelt Instagram story.

David Miller has been through a rollercoaster ride with the Proteas

Onwards and upwards

After a result that was certainly another tough pill to swallow, Proteas captain Aiden Markram spoke about the way forward.

“Hopefully, it’s one step closer. It’s tournament cricket, it’s tough cricket, it’s not easy to win trophies,” Markram said.

“You’ve got to take your hats off to a team like India for lifting the trophy. A lot of hard work goes into it. We’d like to think we’re one step closer and hopefully moving forward we can get that first win and it can be a snowball effect of quite a few to come.”

“I think one thing that I will definitely say is how proud we are. Not just of today, the game itself, but the competition as a whole, the build-up to get here,” Markram said.

“So, in hindsight, things will still feel really good about this competition. However, just for the time being, it stings a bit, but it’s good for it to sting.

“It gives you that little bit of fire in the belly for the next time that you’re here.”

Playing in their first-ever World Cup final, Proteas managed to hold their own against a star-studded Indian side. Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first, and that proved to be the correct call as India put in a challenging score of 176.

In response, the Proteas got off to a bad start after losing Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks early in the final. Quinton de Kock played a wonderful knock to stabilise the innings and he along with Tristan Stubbs and later Heinrich Klaasen got South Africa back in the game.

Proteas lose their first final

The wicket of Klaasen changed the momentum of the match which ultimately saw India winning the final. We look at some of the key moments that changed the match

Klaasen’s wicket

At one point, the Proteas look certain to win the final. With Klaasen and David Miller on the crease, South Africa needed 30 from 30 balls with six wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya was introduced in the 16th over and got Klaasen off the first ball. His wicket slowed down the momentum somewhat but with Miller still in, SA still had a chance

Jasprit Bumrah’s last over

Bumrah was unplayable on the night and even Klaasen failed to get a boundary off him. Miller, who had played well at that point, scored a single to leave new man Marco Jansen on strike against the deadly bowler. The tall Proteas all-rounder could do nothing as Bumrah got his second wicket of the day.

Miller’s catch

After Jansen’s wicket, the final was back in India’s hands as the Proteas struggled against Arshdeep Signh. With 16 needed in the final over, Miller attempted to clear Pandya but the left-hander was caught brilliantly by Suryakumar Yadav. Unfortunately, the damage was done despite Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada trying their best to win the final for the Proteas in the final five balls.

Having ended a run of seven semi-final losses – in both short-form formats – with their victory over Afghanistan on Wednesday, the Proteas came agonisingly close to their maiden World Cup title.

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Heinrich Klaasen’s blistering 52 from 27 balls, with five sixes and two fours, put South Africa in position to win before India’s ‘death’ bowlers turned the screw.

“Obviously gutted. It will take some time for us to reflect on this. We’ve had a great campaign but for the time being, this hurts. I am so proud of all my players and everyone involved in this team,” said Markram.

“We bowled very well, the pitch didn’t give them much to work with. We thought it was a chaseable total. It was a great game of cricket, I’m chuffed with all my guys, it’s hard not to get over the line but I’ll always be proud of them,” he said.

“We’ve seen that it’s not over until the last ball for a lot of our games. It changed quickly at the end there. But we were in a great position. We know we could’ve won the game,” he added.

Hunger for success

Markram said he was proud that the hunger for success that his team had shown throughout their unbeaten run to the final had been evident until the very end.

“One thing you can guarantee from South African people is that they are competitive, but they are respectful. We pride ourselves on that. Hopefully moving forward we can learn from this and use it.

“This will always be a proud day for us, regardless,” he said.

South Africa’s only major honour in the game is the Champions Trophy title won in 1998 and Markram said it was too soon to reflect deeply on the positives of their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign.

“To get to our first final, it’s something we can be proud of. Still, in our eyes, it’s not good enough. You’re not satisfied with making a final,” he said.

“I think it’ll take a bit of time for us to reflect back on all the good things that we’ve done, but obviously for the time being, it’s just hurts a lot,” he said.

‘Unique bond’

Markram had spoken before the final of the unique bond within the team were there was an “extreme hunger” for victory and he said the defeat would take some recovering from.

“Its just gut wrenching – that’s really what it is. Each player has been on a different individual journey to get to this first final.

“Ultimately you become really tight as a group and you want good things to happen to this group because you know they’re great people and when you get really close like that.

“The nature of how the game went, obviously adds to the emotions and it’s one of those things but we can channel it moving forward but I think next couple of days you let it be, you let yourself feel the way you want to feel and then really start reflecting in a positive manner.

“Hopefully it’s one step closer. It’s tournament cricket, it’s tough cricket, it’s not easy to win trophies and you’ve got to take your hats off to a team like India for lifting the trophy.

“Hopefully moving forward we can get that first win and it can be a snowball effect of quite a few to come,” he said.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Having won the toss, India’s captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first in the final. The South Asians reached 176 in 20 overs thanks to a well-played 76 by Virat Kholi, who was playing his final T20I match for his country. In response, Proteas could only manage 169 in 20 overs thus losing the game by seven runs.

The chase got off to a slow start with Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram losing their wickets early. Tristan Stubbs and Quinton De Kock stabilise the innings allowing Heinrich Klaasen to bat freely.

Proteas’defeat was no Choke?

With the score on 147 and four overs remaining, the Proteas needed just 30 runs from 30 balls. Klaasen was unbeaten on 50 while Miller was going along nicely. At that point, it looked like the writing was on the wall for India but a big break came through. Hardik Pandya bowled a poor ball but it was nicked by Klaasen which the keeper caught. The momentum swung when Jasprit Bumrah was recalled and took the wicket of Marco Jansen.

Miller’s wicket in the penultimate over was a nail in the coffin for the Proteas. After the match, Markram said reaching the final was a great achievement.

“Making the final is something we can be proud of. Still in our eyes, not good enough. You’re not satisfied with making a final. It’ll take a bit of time for us to reflect back on all the good things that we’ve done but obviously for the time being it’s just hurts a lot,” he said.

Although most South African fans on social media say the Proteas did not choke on Saturday, some argue that the team lost the final from a winning position.

India won the toss and elected to bat first hoping to put the scoreboard pressure onto the Proteas.

India put the score on the board

However, a double strike by Keshav Maharaj stunted India’s start and left them 23 for 2 after two overs after Marco Jansen was plundered for 15 in the opening over.

When Kagiso Rabada sent Suryakumar Yadav packing India were 34 for 3 and reeling.

Virat Kohli hadn’t fired all tournament but he came up with a crucial knock that set India back onto the path towards a competitive score.

Kohli shared crucial stands with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube. Although Axar played well, his runout was a momentum shifter, and the product of some sloppy running.

The India talisman would eventually fall trying to put the hammer down and holing out to Jansen.

Anrich Nortje produced an excellent final over of the innings to leave India 176 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs.

That required South Africa to complete a record run chase in the T20 World Cup final.

The Proteas chase history

India pegged South Africa back early when Jasprit Bumrah cleaned up Reeza Hendricks and Arshdeep Singh bagged then skipper Aiden Markram both for just four runs.

Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs played the consolidating partnership that took the Proteas to 70 for 3 when Stubbs departed for 31.

De Kock then came together with Heinrich Klaasen and the pair began to accelerate.

The Proteas opener hit four fours and a six but holed out trying to hit Arshdeep over fine leg who had just been pushed back to the boundary.

Klaasen then took the opening to attack India and hit a brutal 52 off 27 balls that included five sixes and together with David Miller he took South Africa to within touching distance of victory.

Hardik Pandya lured Klaasen out to swing at a wide one and got him to nick off to give the match another dramatic twist late on.

That left Miller to try to marshall the Proteas bowlers over the line.

India skipper Sharma brought his key bowler Bumrah back into the attack for the 18th over as they sought to break the game. He would clean up Jansen and South Africa were 156 for 6 and needing 21 runs to win off 14 balls.

Bumrah finished with figures of 2 for 18 from his four overs and left the Proteas needing 20 runs to win off 12 balls.

Arshdeep started the 19th over with a pair of dot balls that left Keshav Maharaj stranded on strike until he chipped the third delivery into the deep for single.

Final over drama in T20 World Cup final

South Africa would need to get 16 runs off the final over to break their World Cup curse.

Miller was bagged on the boundary off the first ball of the final over and it was clear that the heartbreak wasn’t over. Suryakumar pulled off a great piece of fielding on the boundary to set India up for the win.

A streaky boundary from Rabada left South Africa needing 12 from 4 balls but the next two balls would go for just one each and at least one of the remaining two balls had to be hit for six to have any chance to tie the score. A wide followed and the drama continued.

Rabada holed out off the next ball and India were over the line.

South Africa’s men’s national cricket team play India in the T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday afternoon.

Sukude told IOL that the Proteas will emerge victorious over India in what is expected to be an entertaining final.

“It’s very clear, the ancestors have spoken … South Africa will emerge victorious against India tomorrow in the World Cup final,” he said.

“I threw the bones three times, and they all confirm the same thing that we will come out victorious tomorrow. I threw bones from the sea and the mountains and the answer is still the same.”

Proteas play India in the T20 World Cup final

The traditional healer has also predicted one player to get injured during the match.

“But one thing you should know … there is a player that is going to get injured tomorrow and will not finish the game. The ancestors have spoken,” said Sukude.

The Proteas play in their first-ever World Cup final. India on the other hand, have lost many finals in the last decade.

Another sangoma, Makhosi Zodwa Ndlovu, said the bones showed “ku-mhlophe”, which means there is light and victory for the Proteas.

“Things appear bright for South Africa and that often means that everything is going to go well … the nation should expect to celebrate tomorrow,” he told the publication.

The Proteas have won all eight of their matches heading into the final but are not considered favourites.

South Africa is the only team in the tournament with a 100 percent winning record. India’s match against Canada was abandoned before a ball was bowled, resulting in a draw. Rohit Sharma’s men have convincingly dominated teams in the tournament by scoring big and taking wickets.

Proteas v India in T20 World Cup final

The Proteas, on the other hand, have surpassed expectations by reaching the finals. Although they won all eight matches, more than half of them were closely contested and could have gone either way. Credit to Aiden Markram and the team for keeping their composure during tense and pressure-filled moments in tight matches. This is the first time a South African men’s cricket team has reached a final at a senior World Cup tournament.

So, how can the Proteas defeat India and claim the World Cup?

Bat First

The toss will be crucial. If the Proteas win the toss, they should elect to bat first. South Africa has historically struggled while chasing in big tournaments, even though that trend has changed in this tournament. The Proteas batted second in four games and won all of them, but none of the opposing teams posted a challenging score to the South African batters. If India posts a score of 160 or more, it might prove too much for the Proteas.

Openers should step up for South Africa

Should the SA bat first, Quinton de Kock needs to make a significant contribution. If the opening pair puts on a 50-plus score in the opening powerplay, it will become easier for the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to capitalise towards the end of the innings.

Get Rid of Sharma Early

Whether batting first or second, India has the most explosive batting lineup in the world. If the Proteas are to win the World Cup against India, they need to dismiss Rohit Sharma before the third over. If the Indian captain manages to bat until the powerplay, it will be extremely challenging for the Proteas. In six overs, he alone can score 40 or 50 runs if he faces half of the 36 balls. Suryakumar Yadav is another dangerous batsman who should be neutralized if he gets to bat.

Proteas play maiden World Cup final

Attack the Indian Spinners

Unlike India, the Proteas struggle against spin, especially in World Cup matches. If Jasprit Bumrah fails to find his rhythm early and spinners are introduced, South Africa needs to make the most of it and not allow Ravindra Jadeja to settle.

The Proteas reached their first-ever ICC Cricket World Cup final after easing past Afghanistan by nine wickets on Wednesday. The team will now face India in the final on Saturday afternoon.

Gibbs, who played for the Proteas in all three formats, said India were favourites to claim the final. Speaking to Primedia Plus, the former opener pointed out the South African cricket team’s WC run to that of the Springboks in 2023.

“There’s a lot of excitement more than nerves. There’s a nervous excitement but this one is a bit more stressful,” he said.

“The way the tournament has gone, close encounters, very similar to the Springboks’ last World Cup win. There’s been close encounters but the guys have found ways to win and kept their composure when it matters most.”

Gibbs shares his thoughts on Proteas World Cup chances

The 50-year-old former cricketer expects a high-scoring final.

“The wickets have been challenging and the scores show it… but they just need to face one more… I think I’m expecting a much easier wicket for the batters in Barbados. At least a 180 plus score, the guys will have it a little much easier as far as the batter as concerned,” Gibbs added.

Hershelle Gibbs has played in several T20 World Cups and also 50-over World Cups but never reached a final with the Proteas. He said the final was there to be enjoyed and urged the players to enjoy the moment.

“It’s been such a topsy-turvy World Cup, we don’t know what to expect… India is an overwhelming favourite but they can go out there and enjoy their moment. No other Proteas men’s team has been in a final before so big games like semi and finals are there to be enjoyed,” Gibbs said.

The Proteas booked their place in the T20 World Cup final with a brutal defenestration of Afghanistan and will now face India in Barbados on Saturday, 29 June.

The first ball is due to be bowled at 16:30 (SA time).

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Walter is the antithesis of that ‘high profile’ coach – he was never a star player, he stays resolutely grounded in interviews and if he is prone to outbursts of raw emotion he does not put them on public display.

Just one journalist attended his press conference for that semi-final.

The previous 12 South African white-ball coaches include such storied names as Mike Procter, Bob Woolmer and Mark Boucher and yet it is the 48-year-old Walter who has succeeded in shaking off the “choker” tag that dogged a side that could reach semi-finals but no further.

Significant triumph for Rob Walter

Walter said he believed the team had already overcome their biggest psychological hurdle.

“Getting through the semi-final, not having done that before, came with its own pressure,” he told AFP.

“Even against the West Indies (in a crucial Super Eight match), that was effectively a quarter-final.

“Now that they’ve done that I’m just hoping the guys will go out, play freely and express themselves.”

If they do that successfully it will be a significant triumph for Walter, whose playing career peaked at schoolboy provincial level and who had only been involved in coaching at age group level before becoming South Africa’s strength and conditioning coach in 2009, a position he held in 2013.

The recommendation of previous national coach Gary Kirsten helped Rob Walter land a job as head coach of the Titans, South Africa’s most successful franchise.

The team won three titles in three seasons, leading to head coach positions with Otago and Central Districts in New Zealand.

He was appointed South African white-ball coach in January 2023 and has brought a calm to the dressing room, although he admits that outward appearances do not tell the whole tale.

“I wouldn’t say there aren’t emotions deep inside but there’s a calmness required on the side of the field,” he said.

“Our job as coaches is to prepare the guys beforehand and make sure that everything’s in place before the first ball is bowled.

“Once that happens we try to stay in communication with the captain but basically it’s over to the players.

“I try not to get too emotionally attached to the result, more to concentrate on how we prepare.”

‘Very calm’

The results, though, have all gone South Africa’s way with eight successive wins, several of them nail-bitingly close.

The only truly comprehensive win was against Afghanistan in the semi-final in Trinidad on Wednesday where the Proteas romped to a nine-wicket win after bowling out their opponents for just 56.

Rob Walter has high praise for captain Aiden Markram, who he describes as “very level-headed, very calm,” with a tactical astuteness that has enabled him to make crucial decisions under intense pressure.

Given that his team have played on untypical and unpredictable pitches, Walter said they would not have any pre-conceived ideas about what to expect in Barbados.

South Africa have some powerful ball strikers but they have a combined total of only three half-centuries in the tournament, two by Quinton de Kock.

But Walter is confident they will be able to rise to the occasion if conditions in Barbados are more favourable for batsmen, as suggested by earlier results.

“The batters have all contributed at different times. We’ve had two decent wickets for batsmen which in eight games is not a lot.

“The bowling unit has been unbelievably good but the batters I am sure are looking forward to better conditions.”

If South Africa succeed on Saturday, there can be little doubt that Walter’s low profile may not stay that way for much longer.

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Markram has taken the captaincy over from Bavuma almost two years ago. In his first tournament in charge, the 29-year-old batsman has taken the Proteas to their first-ever T20 World Cup. Having beaten Afghanistan in the semi-final, South Africa will now play the winner between England and India in the final.

Bavuma captain Markram in three World Cups and in that time, the current Proteas T20 skipper served as vice-captain.

“Aiden may not have scored the number of runs he would have liked, but his leadership has been phenomenal,” Bavuma told sportsboom.com.

“His captaincy style really brings the team together and has given them a lot of belief. It’s collaborative leadership and you can see the team have that belief and they are really playing for each other.”

Bavuma praises Markram’s captaincy

“I think tactically Aiden has also been very good, using all that spin against the West Indies was really crucial. He’s getting the best out of the players, and you can see how much it means to them.”

“KG Rabada has his big celebrations back every time he takes a wicket; it’s not that he hasn’t been celebrating, but now you can really see how much it means to him every time he gets a wicket,” he said.

Proteas to play either India or England in the T20 final

Bavuma said Markram’s level-headedness was key in getting the Proteas far in the T20 World Cup.

“Aiden has a real competitive edge, and he is 100% engaged in everything he does, but he is also very calm and level-headed, which creates the right environment for the players to produce their best performances,” he said.

The T20 WC final is scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

PROTEAS BEAT AFGHANISTAN, REACH HISTORIC T20 WORLD CUP FINAL

South Africa bowled surprise packages Afghanistan out for a meagre total of 56 after 11 overs and five balls. Tabraiz Shamsi starred with the ball, collecting three wickets and conceding only six runs at an economy rate of 3.27. Marco Jansen also collected three sticks. The Proteas picked off the runs in eight overs and five balls with 67 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. All of this after Afghanistan had won the toss and elected to bat. The Proteas remain unbeaten in the competition.

When is the final?

South Africa will meet India or England in Saturday’s T20 World Cup final at 16:30 local time on 29 June. The second semi-final is staged on Thursday 27 June at 16:30.

South Africa to meet India in four T20 matches

Meanwhile, away from the World Cup, the Proteas have some exciting dates lined up in November.

“The KFC T20I Series will consist of four matches beginning on Friday 8 November at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The next match is scheduled to take place in the friendly city of Gqeberha on Sunday 10 November at Dafabet St George’s Park. The series then moves to the highveld, with SuperSport Park hosting a match on Wednesday 13 November, and DP World Wanderers Stadium hosting the final match of the series on Friday, 15 November,” CSA said in a statement.

Send your well wishes to the Proteas in the comments below!

Proteas cruise past Afghanistan to reach T20 World Cup final

South Africa bowled surprise packages Afghanistan out for a meagre total of 56 after 11 overs and five balls. Tabraiz Shamsi starred with the ball, collecting three wickets and conceding only six runs at an economy rate of 3.27. Marco Jansen also collected three sticks. The Proteas picked off the runs in eight overs and five balls with 67 balls to spare and nine wickets in hand at Brian Lara Cricket Academy. All of this after Afghanistan had won the toss and elected to bat.

South Africa set up a date with destiny

The Proteas will meet India or England in Saturday’s T20 World Cup final at 16:30 local time. The second semi-final is staged on Thursday 27 June at 16:30. Saturday’s showpiece will be South Africa’s maiden appearance in a cricket World Cup final. So far, they remain unbeaten in this T20 tournament.

Great news for Proteas fans to wake up to this morning! Will the boys bring the trophy home? Let us know in the comments section below.

Led by Aiden Markram, the team is balanced and possibly the most explosive T20 squad South Africa has produced. On paper, their batting looks unmatched, but in reality, the team has relied on bowlers when batsmen failed.

Can the Proteas finally get rid of the choking tag?

The positive thing is that the Proteas have not shown signs of struggle yet. It might still happen in the semis, but what are the chances? For the first time since the T20 World Cup began, South Africa has had an easier path to the final.

Rob Walter’s team started the tournament with a convincing win over Sri Lanka in the group stages. A nervy finish against Bangladesh and Nepal raised questions, but it was in the Super Eight where the Proteas looked strong. After a win against a brave USA side, Markram and his team managed to hold off defending champions England before narrowly defeating West Indies at home.

So far, the Proteas have held their own and look like a team that is ready to drop their choking tag. T20 is a game of fine margins, and one bad over can change the outcome of the match. Top teams such as Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand have all been eliminated early in this year’s tournament.

The Proteas seem determined, and choking might be a thing of the past if they can maintain their usual form against Afghanistan. For many years, the side has fallen short before the final hurdle when faced against top-rated teams. This is the first time South Africa will play a less-fancied team in the semis of a World Cup.

For those waiting for Proteas to start choking, you might turn blue. For the first time in 30 years, the South African cricket team are playing like winners. The path to the final has never been easier and this is the time to cash in.

This comes after Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh by eight runs following a Duckworth Lewis method on Tuesday morning. The other semi-final will see title holders England facing India on Thursday.

The Proteas, unbeaten in the T20 World Cup, reached the semi-finals by beating host West Indies by 3 wickets. Multiple Titans spinner Tabraiz Shamsi took 3 wickets for just 27 runs to restrict the Windies to just 135 runs in 20 overs. With the overs reduced to 17, the Proteas reached 124 to win the match.

After the World Cup sem-final match, Proteas Aiden Markram admitted his side could have killed the game earlier.

“I think we would have liked to have been a lot more convincing in getting the job done,” Markram said afterwards.

“We didn’t take care of those partnerships to get us closer and kill the game. We were probably looking to kill the game too early.

“I’m a big fan of guys wanting to take the game on and to kill it early, but we have to weigh it up on the night and tonight we peaked a little early,” Markram said.

Proteas to play Afghanistan in T20 World Cup semi-final

“Having left out the seamer [Ottneil Baartman], we felt we needed a few extra overs of spin in the power play and immediately it started spinning. That’s when I felt we needed to bowl as much spin as we could on this track. The wicket was helping us,” the South African captain said.

South Africa reach another semi-final of an ICC event

The Proteas will play in yet another World Cup semi-final on Thursday morning at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The match starts at 02:00. Rob Walter’s men have won seven out of seven matches in this tournament and are favourites to claim to T20 World Cup alongside India. Afghanistan have been impressive this tournament but South Africa should be too strong.

EXPLAINER: Who – and when – the Proteas will play in the semi-finals

Shamsi claimed 3-27 in Sunday’s three-wicket win over two-time champions West Indies as South Africa chalked up a seventh win in seven games at the tournament.

The 34-year-old took the wickets of dangerous opener Kyle Mayers and top-scoring Roston Chase in his four overs.

Tabraiz Shamsi dropped against England

Four days earlier, he had conceded 50 runs on the same ground as the United States threatened a shock victory and he was dropped for the victory over England.

“In the previous game I bowled later in the innings and I went for 50 and there were certain critics coming out from the woodwork, speaking about pressure and how I can’t handle pressure,” said Shamsi.

“I think in a quarter-final match I hope that was enough pressure for me to respond to.”

Shamsi said he was dismayed by the criticism he and his team have faced in their campaign.

“It’s just a little bit ridiculous when it’s ex-players,” said Shamsi.

“When they were on the field they did the same things. As cricketers we know sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

South Africa topped their first round group as well as their pool in the second stage Super Eights with defending champions England also going through to the last four.

However, it has been a roller-coaster ride for the Proteas who are still without a world title after a succession of painful near-misses.

At this tournament, they have had to dig deep to preserve their winning momentum.

They defeated the Netherlands by four wickets after being 12-4 at one stage chasing just 104 to win.

Crushing blow for hosts West Indies

A four-run win over Bangladesh followed before they avoided what would have been a seismic shock in a one-run victory over Nepal.

“Obviously most of the games have been a lot closer than we would have personally liked,” added Shamsi.

“But the amazing thing is that this new Proteas team always seems to get over the line.

“We’ve been put under huge pressure basically in every single game that we’ve played and the boys have managed to find a way to win no matter what the situation, no matter how close the game.

“So that’s really pleasing for us as a unit, and in a funny way we’re looking forward to it.”

For co-hosts West Indies, the exit from their own World Cup was a crushing disappointment.

They had swept through the first round with four wins in four games but lost to England and South Africa in the Super Eights.

“We are disappointed because we think we had the personnel within our room to actually win a home World Cup,” admitted captain Rovman Powell.

“Over the last 12 months or so we have played fantastic cricket. It’s maybe one of the first times a West Indies team is ranked number 3 in T20 in the world and that must say something.”

By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse

Having been put in to bat by England, Quinton de Kock was the chief aggressor as the Proteas got off to a fast start.

Off to a flyer

By the conclusion of the tenth over, the Proteas were 87/1, having lost only Reeza Hendricks, who had been caught by Harry Brook off Moeen Ali.

Jos Buttler sparked an England fightback though, taking a brilliant catch to remove De Kock before running out Heinrich Klaasen with a terrific direct hit.

South Africa managed to creep to 163 for 6 in their 20 overs and that was always going to be a challenge for the batting side if the Proteas bowled well.

Proteas bowlers back up De Kock

The bowlers would come to the party with a great team effort as they kept fighting to stay on top.

England only managed to get to 60/3 in the first ten overs of their chase as the Proteas kept the squeeze on but there could still have been a great twist in the tail.

Ottniel Baartman’s 17th over would go for 21 runs and England were still in the game coming into the final over from Anrich Nortje.

A brilliant running catch from Aiden Markram meant that England lost Brook and needed 14 to win from five balls, from there Nortje closed out the match.

“I’m grateful it stuck! Your mind races as a captain and you find yourself drifting in the field – but happy to hold onto it. It certainly made a difference,” Markram said of his catch after the match.

“It’s always a tricky one,” he said of Baartman’s struggles.

“You want to see the bowlers’s best skills. You want to give him the freedom to bowl his best ball first before changing to conditions. It was a bit nerve-wracking there in those last few overs. The plans were there but the execution was not quite right. It happens.”

Proteas come through in the clinch again

The Proteas have now won both their Super 8s matches and have one foot in the semi-finals with a match against the West Indies remaining in this phase.

Another tight contest left Markram a relieved man after the match.

“Once again! We’ve had a few of those this competition! Getting to those last three overs, the odds looked heavily against you. But the bowlers coming back it shows a lot of skill but it also shows the fight inside,” the skipper added.

“As a whole, I’d say we’re getting closer to that complete game of cricket. We’re not there just yet but we’re getting there.”

India will once again travel to South Africa in the summer looking to solidify their top spot in the ICC T20I rankings. India currently tops the rankings followed by Australia and the West Indies. The Proteas are only the fifth but that could change if Rob Walter’s men go on and lift the T20 World Cup that is currently taking place.

On Friday, CSA announced the KFC International T20I series scheduled to take place in November.

“Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are delighted to confirm the scheduling of yet another thrilling KFC T20 International (T20I) series, which will see India traveling to South Africa in November 2024.

Proteas to play India in four T20 matches

“The KFC T20I Series will consist of four matches beginning on Friday 8 November at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The next match is scheduled to take place in the friendly city of Gqeberha on Sunday 10 November at Dafabet St George’s Park. The series then moves to the highveld, with SuperSport Park hosting a match on Wednesday 13 November, and DP World Wanderers Stadium hosting the final match of the series on Friday, 15 November,” CSA said in a statement.

Having reached the T20 Super Eight, the Proteas will now face England and West Indies. Rob Walter’s men have already beaten USA in their first Super Eight match and just need a win to qualify for the semis.

Proteas unbeaten so far in the tournament

The Proteas have won all their five T20 matches so far at the World Cup. A win against England could see them secure a place in the semi-final of the World Cup before the Windies match on Monday.

Rob Walters’ team started the tournament by beating Sri Lanka by six wickets before narrowly edging the Netherlands by four wickets. In their last two games against Bangladesh and Nepal, the Proteas managed to scrap past somehow.

The Proteas have looked far from convincing this T20 World Cup but kept their composure when needed. In their last match, Nepal needed 31 runs from 39 balls with eight wickets in hand. The Proteas managed to pull things back to secure a one-run win over the Asian side.

Captain Aiden Markram said the team kept things simple even though Nepal looked threatening.

“[We wanted] to keep it really simple. We thought if we were still hitting a hard length the odd one would shoot low and we could keep the stumps in play,” Markram said.

Proteas to face tough matches in the Super Eight of the T20 World Cup

“I didn’t want us to go too full so that if we missed it became an easy hit,” referring to Ottneil Bartman’s over

“So sticking to that hard length, and using the short ball as we did to our advantage and just getting the timing right with bowling the short one as well worked.

“Pretty straightforward. I don’t think it was necessarily a death plan. It was your simple middle-overs plan that we felt will work best on that pitch.”

The Proteas play three tough matches in the T20 World Cup Super Eight. They first play USA at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Wednesday(19 June). Two days later, Markram’s men face off against England before their big clash with host West Indies on 24 June.

How can the Proteas reach the semi-finals?

If the Proteas are to progress into the T20 World Cup semis, they need to win at least two games.

The Proteas squeaked through their final group match with a 1-run win over Nepal which saw Shamsi take 4 for 19 and be named the man of the match.

Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi ready to take over

Shamsi said that the switch to pitches on the islands means that spin will become more important.

He also commented on adapting to different conditions and even different play times.

“Our fast bowlers did a great job in New York but our slower bowlers will have to take up the mantle now,” he said.

Coming through the pressure moments.

Shamsi doesn’t share the concerns that the Proteas haven’t really turned it on in any of their matches to date.

He feels that being prepared for pressure moments will stand the team in good stead going forward.

“We’ve been put under pressure in every single game and we have stood up to it,” Shamsi said.

Skipper relieved

Proteas skipper Aiden Markram cut a relieved figure after the narrow win over Nepal.

“Very grateful to have got the win, we were not near our best tonight. Reflecting back on the game over the next few days, there will be a lot of learnings for us.

“We have a good pace attack and you want to back that. I thought if we got the ball in the right areas, it would be challenging for the batters. In hindsight, we should have picked another spinner. First and foremost, the way they bowled it made it really tough for us. They put us under a lot of pressure. And maybe there was not enough conviction in our plans.

“It has been a bit different, we spent the whole day almost doing nothing and there we’d be playing first thing in the morning. Moving forward some things may change. It’s one of the big challenges of cricket, being open minded and adapting.”

Nepal captain very proud

Nepal skipper Rohit Paudel said that he was proud of his team’s efforts at this World Cup.

“I think I am very proud of the unit, especially the way we bowled and batted,” Paudel said.

“When we saw the wicket yesterday, we thought it would be on the slower side. When we were bowling I thought the wicket was helping the spinners so we carried on with the spinners. I think we were very close but a little far. In crunch moments we did well, I thought we fought very good. If we get more exposure to games like this, we will be on the other side [of the result].

He also said: “I want to thank the fans for the way they have been supporting us. They come a long way, in the rain and everything, they come to support us.”

The top order have struggled throughout the tournament but Walter insists there will not be a reshuffle.

Walter believes that the batting struggles have been rooted in the sporting pitch in use in New York.

No changes for unbeaten Proteas

The showdown with Nepal will take place at The Arnos Vale Stadium in St Vincent in the Caribbean and should provide a better pitch to bat on.

Walter believes that one moment could easily spark the top order back into great form.

“We’ll not make many changes unless the conditions tell us to do that. Obviously it was a tough outing in New York for the top order, so I want to allow guys to play on a better surface,” explained Walter.

“We have to be realistic in terms of what we faced there (in New York). As the batters, you can only do what you can outside of match time, and the guys have been working incredibly hard on their games to stay in touch.

“And you know, this game is a strange one. It takes one shot to feel in form, so they are experienced and I trust them. Their time will be coming soon.”

Bowlers carry the effort

The Proteas have won their three matches to date at the T20 World Cup on the strength of their bowling.

Walter says that the wicket in New York really played into the Proteas’ hands in that regard.

“From a bowling point of view conditions were in our favour. We were very much able to bowl in the mould that we do in South Africa from a hard length point of view, using the deck to give us that variation,” said Walter.

“But we still have areas of our game that we want to touch up and improve on. We want to keep some consistency there and keep getting better as a team, so conditions will dictate [any changes].”

The Proteas have qualified for the next phase of the competition, the Super 8s, and top their group heading into the fourth match.

In that sense they have accomplished their mission so far but they will need to improve if they are to reach the semi-finals.

The Proteas face Nepal on Saturday morning from 01:30 with the match broadcast on SuperSport.

On Monday, South Africa claimed an important win over Bangladesh, while off the field it was certainly eye-catching to see famed American rapper Moneybagg Yo coming out to support the Proteas.

Moneybagg Yo, well known for his distinctive hip-hop music and sharp lyricism, could also be seen receiving a signed Proteas jersey from fast bowler Kagiso Rabada after the game.

You can see the Proteas’ interaction with Moneybagg Yo below:

The Proteas have certainly made the most of their time in the United States, having last week travelled to the renowned Times Square, where they were greeted with a customised video message displayed prominently on the TSX screen in the heart of the bustling city that read, “New York Welcomes The Proteas!” The special screening was arranged by the renowned Roc Nation Sport International, with whom CSA enjoys a distinct partnership.

To wrap up the activities CSA teamed up with the formidable New York Yankees for the Proteas special visit to the iconic Yankee Stadium in the Bronx where they were the baseball team’s special guests for a match between the Yankees and the Minnesota Twins.

The team was also treated to a special tour of the stadium. In addition, captain Aiden Markram, coach Rob Walter and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada conducted a jersey swap with Yankees coach Aaron Boone and star player Austin Wells.

A video of Times Square coverage is available here.

All in all, the Proteas have won over numerous new fans in the US and certainly seen their ‘cool factor’ skyrocket as they now prepare to travel to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

South Africa’s Remaining Group Stage Itinerary – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup West Indies and USA 2024

Friday, 14 June – 19:30 (01:30 SAST)

South Africa vs Nepal – Arnos Vale Ground, St Vincent

However, the quick is not retired from international cricket.

Nortje has reportedly told Proteas management and CSA that he wants to focus on T20 cricket.

Anrich Nortje is back but focused on T20 cricket

The T20 Challenge saw Nortje make his return to action after a long injury lay-off induced by a stress fracture in his back.

That injury should serve as context for Nortje’s decision to focus on the shortened version of the game.

Nortje wants to be in the frame for the T20 World Cup but will need to use his franchise contracts to make his push for a return.

 CSA’s director of cricket, Enoch Nkwe, offered some clarity on Nortje’s position with the Proteas.

Nkwe revealed that fitness allowing, Nortje will return to ODI duty during the home summer at the end of the year.

“He requested he wants to focus on T20 cricket for the next few months. He is not retiring from any internationals.

Nkwe also said: “He will avail himself for T20 internationals. Towards the end of the year, he will look to play ODIs again,” Nkwe told ESPNcricinfo. “We will be monitoring him and around to help him with whatever he needs.”

Back in the IPL

Nortje arrived in Delhi on Monday to join the Capitals squad for the ongoing IPL.

Nortje already has 53 IPL wickets to his name in just 40 matches in the tournament but hasn’t reached the heights of his debut campaign in any season.

Injury lay-off gives Anrich Nortje a refresh

Nortje has revealed that the time away from the game has been refreshing as he focused on getting back to fitness.

“The biggest thing (when out of action due to injury) is to try to switch off from cricket, take it easy, go on with life and then get back to the cricket specifics when the time is right. That’s more or less what I was doing,” said Nortje in an interview with Independent Newspapers.

“The body is feeling really good, better than expected, I suppose.

“Coming from nothing for a good few months straight back into cricket, from a personal perspective, it’s massive to be playing again, especially T20s.

“I’m just trying to build in every game, trying to improve and get back to the level where I was before the injury.

“I just have to keep ticking over, keep doing the work behind the scenes.”

David Miller’s unbeaten 59 off 51 balls saw the Proteas safely home at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, the South Africans finishing on 106/6 after restricting the Dutch to 103/9 from their 20 overs.

Netherlands were poised to inflict another famous upset

For a moment however it looked as if the Dutch were poised to inflict another famous upset on the South Africans following wins at the 2022 T20 World Cup and 2023 ODI World Cup.

The Proteas were left reeling at 12/4 after 4.3 overs and had even been 3/3 at one stage as the Dutch bowling attack broke through early.

But Tristan Stubbs and Miller hauled South Africa off the ropes with a fifth wicket partnership of 65 to leave the Proteas in a winning position.

While Stubbs eventually fell for 33, Miller saw South Africa home with a half century that included three fours and four sixes – including a six off Bas de Leede in the 19th over to seal victory.

“It was just a good finish in the end,” a relieved Miller said afterwards.

“Credit to the Netherlands bowlers – they bowled really well.

“They made it difficult for us to score. But we have got over the line with our tailenders, so I have faith.”

‘Mental blockade’

Proteas captain Aiden Markram said his team had overcome a psychological hurdle with the victory over the Dutch after their previous high-profile losses.

“We knew they were always going to up for a scrap,” Markram said.

“It’s a game of cricket ultimately. The history before this game was obviously they beat us. It’s a mental blockade – and we were under pressure again today.”

Earlier, Ottniel Baartman’s dazzling four-wicket haul helped South Africa hold the Netherlands to a modest 103/9.

Baartman finished with figures of 4-11 off four overs, with Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje both grabbing two wickets to keep the Dutch batsmen on the back foot.

Jansen had the Netherlands rocking in the opening over, getting rid of Michael Levitt caught behind for a duck after a review.

Jansen was involved again for South Africa’s second dismissal, taking a superb one-handed diving catch at first slip after Max O’Dowd edged behind off Baartman.

That left the Netherlands reeling on 15/2 after four overs. They were three down in the following over as Jansen bagged his second wicket, obliterating Vikramjist Singh’s stumps to make it 17/3.

De Leede was the next to fall, caught off Nortje for six runs from a delivery which rocketed up off the wicket.

It got worse for the Netherlands in the 12th over.

First Edwards was run out for 10 after a superb piece of fielding by South Africa skipper Aiden Markram.

Then Nortje bagged another wicket three balls later after Teja Nidamanuru’s leading edge flew all the way to deep third man into the hands of Heinrich Klaasen to make it 48/6.

Sybrand Engelbrecht and Logan van Beek staged a fleeting fightback before falling to Baartman for 40 and 23 respectively as South Africa’s bowlers reasserted themselves in the final overs.

Additional reporting by AFP

As the Proteas gear up for their second group game at the men’s T20 World Cup in New York, the world champion Springboks have rallied behind cricket counterparts in support of their title bid.

In an epic video compilation, Springboks Faf de Klerk (scrumhalf), Cheslin Kolbe (wing) and Beast Mtawarira (former prop) all sent a good luck messages to the national cricket team.

SPRINGBOKS WISH PROTEAS GOOD LUCK

SA SPEEDSTER MAKING BIG MOVES IN RANKINGS

Movement in the latest T20 International rankings following the first seven matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje blasted up the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings after he lit up New York with a stunning display against Sri Lanka in the first week of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Nortje returned remarkable figures of 4/7 from his four overs as South Africa hammered Sri Lanka by six wickets in New York, setting a new record for the best figures by a Proteas fast bowler in the Men’s T20 World Cups. The previous record was also with Nortje, he picked 4/10 against Bangladesh in 2022 in Sydney.

The 30-year-old’s superb performance in New York City has seen him leap up nine places in the Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, bursting into the top 10 and up to eighth.

Nortje is now the second-highest pace bowler in the rankings, behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (in fifth). England’s spin Adil Rashid remains in top spot, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Axar Patel rounding off the top three.

The Proteas’ next game is against the Netherlands in New York on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm (South African time).

WHAT THE PROTEAS GOT UP TO IN NEW YORK

PROTEAS SPEEDSTER MAKING BIG MOVES IN RANKINGS

Movement in the latest T20I rankings following the first seven matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje blasted up the ICC Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings after he lit up New York with a stunning display against Sri Lanka in the first week of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Nortje returned remarkable figures of 4/7 from his four overs as South Africa hammered Sri Lanka by six wickets in New York, setting a new record for the best figures by a Proteas fast bowler in the Men’s T20 World Cups. The previous record was also with Nortje, he picked 4/10 against Bangladesh in 2022 in Sydney.

The 30-year-old’s superb performance in New York City has seen him leap up nine places in the Men’s T20I Bowling Rankings, bursting into the top 10 and up to eighth.

Nortje is now the second-highest pace bowler in the rankings, behind Australia’s Josh Hazlewood (in fifth). England’s Adil Rashid remains in top spot, with Wanindu Hasaranga and Axar Patel rounding off the top three.

The Proteas’ next game is against the Netherlands in New York on Saturday afternoon at 4:30pm (South African time).

After turning out at the brand new Nassau County Stadium in New York, the Proteas would make a stop at a far more established sporting arena, Yankee Stadium.

South African cricket stars hit the Big Apple

For many in the Proteas set up this was their first visit to New York and they enjoyed taking in some of the sights and sounds of the Big Apple.

The Proteas started their campaign with a victory over Sri Lanka at the newly-minted stadium and the novelty of the occasion was not lost on South Africa’s hero of the day Anrich Nortje.

He noted that it was a little bit surreal to be playing cricket in New York City.

“I never thought those two [things] would go together — cricket and New York City — but it was a great atmosphere, it was nice to see the support,” Nortje said.

The quick also dismissed concerns about the drop-in pitches used at the New York stadium venue, which was constructed far too quickly to craft a proper square for pitches.

Nortje doesn’t feel that the pitches were bad simply because they give some assistance to the bowlers.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the wickets. It’s nice for bowlers as well. We are also allowed to get some sort of assistance,” he said.

Proteas visit Yankee stadium

The Proteas made their way to Yankee Stadium during some downtime ahead of their next match this weekend.

Touring a facility that houses one of the most famous and successful sports teams in the world was no doubt something special for the cricketers.

Skipper Aiden Markram even got to hold a game-used baseball bat deployed by sporting icon Babe Ruth.

The Proteas savoured the experience of watching the Yankees train before engaging in a jersey swap.

Proteas players got to take in the sights and sounds of the base of a team that has won 20 American League East Division titles, 40 American League pennants, and 27 World Series championships, all MLB records.

The men in green and gold might also hope that some of that winning spirit rubs off on them as they bid to break their ICC tournament duck at the T20 World Cup.

Last month, eMedia said they failed to acquire the rights to televise the T20 World Cup due to a constrained bidding time frame provided by MultiChoice.

MultiChoice has had exclusive rights to the broadcast mostly cricket and rugby World Cups. Last year, SABC and DStv secured a last-minute broadcast deal for the 2023 Cricket World Cup broadcast. This year, it seems as if the two parties never entered talks ahead of the T20I World Cup which is currently taking place in USA.

According to reports, Multichoice only gave free-to-air broadcasters, including e.tv the opportunity to tender rights to televise the World Cup with weeks left before the tournament. As a result, eMedia was unable to tender for these rights

Due to this conduct, the broadcaster believes MultiChoice has violated the Electronic Communications Act and the Sports Broadcasting Regulations, which mandate prompt notification to free-to-air broadcasters.

SABC and eMedia won’t broadcast T20 World Cup

“This means that millions of loyal e.tv viewers, who do not have access to DStv’s paid services, will be denied the opportunity to watch the South African T20 World Cup matches for free on its channel,” eMedia said.

“MultiChoice’s actions violate both the Electronic Communications Act and the Sports Broadcasting Regulations, which mandate prompt notification to free-to-air broadcasters. Multichoice has not explained why it did not do so until the last minute. 

“eMedia views the issuing of these late invitations to tender by Multichoice as undermining fair competition and ignoring a recent Competition Tribunal order designed to prevent such restrictive practices. 

Another Proteas World Cup blackout

eMedia has formally raised these concerns with MultiChoice, demanding an end to these harmful tactics but has received no response. This behaviour is not only unfair to e.tv’s dedicated viewers but also detrimental to the South African broadcasting industry as a whole. eMedia is disappointed that Multichoice has treated free-to-air broadcasters who compete with them in this way. “

“This is particularly so given that Multichoice cannot use the free-to-air rights it has purchased. The issue of the manner in which Multichoice deals with its exclusive purchase of sports rights is currently being dealt with at the Competition Commission and ICASA as a result of complaints by eMedia relating to this conduct. “

According to the BusinessTech website, the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport Amendment Bill ensures that the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) complies with the World Anti-Doping Code (WADA) through several amendments.

WADA promotes and coordinates the fight against drugs in sport around the world.

The amended legislation defines SAIDS as the national anti-doping organisation, falling under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

Springboks were at risk of flag and anthem ban

As reported by The South African website in late 2023, both the Springboks (Rugby World Cup) and Proteas (Cricket World Cup) were at risk of losing the right to fly the South African flag and sing the national anthem after missing a WADA deadline to update their anti-doping legislation.

Given the shot notice period, it proved impossible for the country to meet the deadline.

Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, instructed SAIDS to file an appeal which bought time for the teams to continue playing under the national flag – while also singing the anthem.

The Springboks and Proteas were ultimately allowed to fly the South African flag and sing Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.

Herschelle Gibbs had almost TOO much talent

You know those types, the guys in school who were good at every sport. Herschelle Gibbs was one of those at Bishops in Cape Town. He played flyhalf for the first rugby team and still boasts the fastest recorded time over the 100m sprint at his old school. There were also rumours that North London giants Arsenal and Tottenham invited the mercurial Gibbs for a trial.

Gibbs has a cavalier approach to batting and life

438 game

Gibbs scored 175 runs off 111 balls in a staggering display of aggressive batting in a match that no South African fans will ever forget. Besides, we get served highlights pretty much every year around Boxing Day. The Proteas won that much by one wicket with one ball remaining. Gibbs’ innings at Johannesburg will live forever in the memory, partially because it was such a perfect summary of him as a player. March 12th, 2006 is still a reference point for ODI cricket.

World Cup BMT

Gibbs scored 143 against New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup when the Proteas contested the tournament on home soil. However, as we all painfully know, it wasn’t enough to steer us to the trophy. Rain struck on that day. Duckworth Lewis has never been the proteas’ best friend.

IPL Champion

In 2009 with the Deccan Chargers, Gibbs was an IPL Champions. That form of the game suits him. Not only because of his insanely impressive pinch-hitting ability but his knack for hitting the stumps and limiting runs in the field with his agility and reflexes. Gibbs was notorious for affecting runouts in all forms of the game. Gibbs became the first player to hit six consecutive sixes in one over in ODI cricket, against the Netherlands in the 2007 Cricket World Cup.

Impressive Proteas stats despite his risk-taking approach at the crease

Gibbs took risks because that’s just how he’s wired. Despite that, his overall stats are pretty sturdy.

Where is Herschelle Gibbs now?

In July 2019, Gibbs was appointed head coach of the Rotterdam Rhinos for the inaugural edition of the Euro T20 Slam cricket tournament. He also coached teams in the Shpageeza Cricket League and Kuwait’s national squad. In November 2020, he was selected by the Colombo Kings as the head coach for the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League. On 2 January 2021, he was selected as the new head coach of Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League.

2024 has been an especially good year for him. He proposed to his girlfriend Dana Németh in January and turned 50 in February.

What are your favourite Herschelle Gibbs memories?

Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com. You can also send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Also find more in the ‘where are they now’ series with this piece on Lucas Radebe.

Meanwhile, you can follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest DStv Premiership news.

The tournament is set to be played in the USA and West Indies from 1-29 June, and Aiden Markram will lead the Proteas side in what will be his first World Cup assignment since being named T20 International (T20I) captain.

The Proteas’ opening match takes place on Monday, 3 June, at 16:30 (SA time) when they face Sri Lanka at the Nassau County Stadium in New York.

As the countdown to the highly anticipated tournament begins, here are the key fixtures to mark down in the calendar.

PROTEAS’ GROUP STAGE ITINERARY – ICC MEN’S T20 WORLD CUP WEST INDIES AND USA 2024

Monday, 03 June – 10:30 (16:30 SAST)

Sri Lanka vs South Africa – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

Saturday, 08 June – 10:30 (16:30 SAST)

Netherlands vs South Africa – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

Monday, 10 June – 10:30 (16:30 SAST)

South Africa vs Bangladesh – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York

Friday, 14 June – 19:30 (01:30 SAST)

South Africa vs Nepal – Arnos Vale Ground, St Vincent

SA SQUAD

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Ottniel Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Anrich Nortje (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions) Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans) and Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).

Travelling Reserves

Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans)

Management

Rob Walter (Head Coach), Khomotso Volvo Masubelele (Team Manager), Jean-Paul Duminy (Batting Coach), Eric Simons (Bowling Coach), Wandile Gwavu (Fielding Coach), Thomas Dawson-Squibb (Performance Coach), Runeshan Moodley (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Matthew Reuben (Performance Analyst), Sizwe Hadebe (Physiotherapist), Dr Konrad von Hagen (Team Doctor), Kyle Botha (Logistics and Masseur) and Lucy Davey (Media Manager).

Format: Round-Robins and Playoffs explained

There are 20 teams participating in the tournament, divided into four groups of five for the initial round-robin format.

Group A – India, Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, USA

Group B – England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman

Group C – New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea

Group D – South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Nepal

The 20 teams are separated into four groups of five for the first stage of the event, with each team playing a minimum of four matches against their other group members during that initial group stage.

The top two sides from each group then progress to the Super 8s stage of the event, with the bottom three teams from each group eliminated.

The remaining eight teams are then split into another two groups during the Super 8s phase, with sides to play three matches against their group rivals to determine the semifinalists.

The semifinals will be played out between the top two teams from each Super 8s group, with the winners then progressing to the one-off final in Barbados on June 29.