The Proteas have one of their strongest T20 talent pools in years but a lack of time together is likely to cost them at the World Cup.
Without any international cricket for months it is unlikely that the Proteas will arrive at the tournament ready to fight for the title.
The Proteas have a tricky group but one they will be expected to come through if not do so entirely unscathed.
The format has shifted and the Super 8s phase of the competition will likely take on the greatest significance.
For the Proteas coming up with plans to win matches on the fly might prove to be the element that is missing come tournament time.
The Proteas have strong players in every phase of the game that could help them to great T20 success. They have competition for places at the top of the order with the likes of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickleton battling to try and make their case. There are also form players like Reeza Hendricks and Matthew Breetzke who offer stable hands at the top of the order.
Because of the congested schedule, we aren’t sure if former skipper Temba Bavuma will be given a look in to get into the squad especially given how well the team has shaped up without him.
The finishers Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller can float up the order if required but there will be questions about what Tristan Stubbs brings to the party for the T20 World Cup rather than just what he might be able to do in the future.
While there are clearly batters who can add value to this team what they really need is to play cricket together to get a better understanding of how to win as a team.
The Proteas also have some great depth when it comes to bowlers even if there is a real lack of all-rounders who can impact the game with bat and ball.
However, with the bowlers it is clear that the skipper will need to know how and when to use what personnel and as professional as he might be, it won’t be easy to make calls when you haven’t been together as a unit.
It is unlikely that Cricket South Africa will organise more matches so cricket fans in South Africa will have to hope for the best as a team once again heads to an international event undercooked.
