Selection for the Proteas isn't always down to who is performing well in domestic cricket which is a problem for South Africa.
Some players who perform consistently on the domestic circuit appear to harm their chances with consistent performances.
Players who do well week in and week out don’t catch the eye as much as those who could be less consistent but for whatever reason prove more fashionable.
The recently completed One Day Cup throws up plenty of examples.
We are unlikely to see rewards for the likes of Wihan Lubbe and Theunis de Bruyn for their run-scoring exploits, as these are players who have previously struggled to step up to international level.
Neither de Bruyn nor Lubbe were really given a fair shot at breaking into the team, although the former played a number of Tests.
Former Dolphins man Sibonelo Makhanya appears to have made the most of his move to the Titans and perhaps that could see him get more joy from a good outing in the One Day Cup.
Makhanya risks being slotted into the domestic journeyman category despite being earmarked for bigger things as young player.
When it comes to wicket-takers in the One Day Cup, Sisanda Magala tops the list but his status with the national team remains up in the air.
Magala has been named in several Proteas squads but far too often finds himself failing fitness tests.
He has also struggled with his control when bowling on the big stage and might have blotted his copybook too much with the selectors.
The men taking wickets domestically all too often fall into being seen as bowlers who don’t have that x-factor needed for international cricket, especially if they aren’t possessed of express pace.
Tshepo Moreki and Alfred Mothoa are two such players unlikely to be given chances at this stage of their careers.
There should be a greater acknowledgement of domestic performers which should be carried out by the national selectors.
Training camps may seem a fruitless exercise in an era of professional sport but South Africa’s high-performance set-up could probably do with expanding its pool of players.
It is clear that CSA recognises the need to reform the domestic game, but they would do well to reform the attitudes held towards it internally as well.
