The ICC Champions Trophy is only a week away, and South Africa have already arrived in Pakistan, as the search for an ICC trophy continues. Before competing in the prestigious tournament, the Proteas are facing a tri-nation series against New Zealand and Pakistan which has already gotten underway.
Captain Temba Bavuma is at the helm of a relatively young squad, with several star players remaining in South Africa after recently participating in the SA20 final over the weekend. Bavuma, along with coach Rob Walter, sees this ongoing series as an opportunity to learn about the local conditions and make adjustments that can benefit the wider group in preparation for the Champions Trophy.
For the younger players in the tri-series, this represents a chance to showcase their skills and readiness to step into the international scene.
"Mainly about acclimatising to the conditions," Bavuma explained, when outlining the team's objectives for the series.
"Taking whatever learnings that we can and being able to share it with the wider group. This tri-series will be very important. If we have to make adjustments, we'll do so."
He added, "For the young guys, it's an opportunity for them to showcase what they can do at this level and maybe a role that they can play within the team in the future."
However, the Proteas have been dealt a blow with the injuries to fast bowlers Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee, both of whom were initially named in the Champions Trophy squad. To fill the gap, Walter has brought in Corbin Bosch, while also naming the 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka as a travelling reserve.
Bosch’s pace bowling style closely mirrors that of Nortje, and he is additionally known to be handy with the bat, a quality the Proteas will welcome heading into the tournament.
South Africa must come out firing from their very first match. Placed in a daunting group alongside England, Australia, and Afghanistan, the team will need to perform at its peak to secure a place in the play-offs.
Bavuma is cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead.
"It's unfortunate again that we are without Anrich. We know what he gives to the team but Corbin Bosch comes in the frame. He's a guy that can also bowl high pace. He'll give us that addition," Bavuma noted.
"We set our sights in terms of where we want to be in the Champions Trophy, but we know that we are going to have to play well from game one. It's not like the 50-over World Cup where you have time to step up.
“Here we'll have to be on top of our game. Like every tournament we go into, we are optimistic and hopeful we can go one step further than we have in the past."
South Africa plays their first match of the tri-series against New Zealand on Monday, with their Champions Trophy campaign set to get underway on February 21.