There is hardly a group at the T20 World Cup that doesn't have some South African connection among the players or coaches.
South African born or related players are in abundance in the squads for the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan have recently brought in the services of Vernon Philander while Graham Ford and Mickey Arthur coach Ireland and Sri Lanka respectively.
Proteas legend Lance Klusener will get his first look at the Afghanistan squad in his care in the next few days and the connections don’t stop there.
In the Dutch squad there are a bevvy of South African players including Colin Ackermann and Stephan Myburgh.
Capped Proteas allrounder David Wiese qualified to play for Namibia, and in 2021 made his debut for a second international side.
St Stithians College old boy Curtis Campher has now settled in Ireland and is eager to establish himself as a middle-order heavyweight.
The Scotland squad will be led by Kyle Coetzer who is the nephew of former Eastern Province cricketer Grant Dugmore.
Perhaps the biggest star of the lot is Devon Conway who revived his career in New Zealand and has become one of the premier T20 batters in the world today.
In the England ranks, Jason Roy and David Malan have strong connections with South Africa, while Tom Curran was born in Cape Town.
It seems that you won’t be able to swing a cat at the T20 World Cup without striking a South African.
Of course, it will be the Proteas carrying the hopes of a nation at the T20 World Cup, going in as decided underdogs but sporting excellent recent form.
South Africa have never won a world title with their only ICC trophy win coming in the 1998 Intercontinental cup.
The World Cup has been full of heartache for South Africa but perhaps the strong influence the country has on this tournament might be a good omen for the Proteas.
