Thulani Serero has made it clear he wishes to be back in the Bafana Bafana set-up in his first public statement on the matter since being kicked out by Gordon Igesund ahead of a key World Cup qualifier in September.
He said he will not be saying sorry but wanted back in the side.
He said he has spoken with the coach since the controversial incident in Durban when he was accused of faking injury.
Serero insists he did feel pain and wanted to take no chances while he was on the brink of cementing a place in the Ajax first team after a frustrating time on the sidelines.
In an interview with the Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad, where the newspaper devoted a full-page feature on the 23-year-old, Serero said he might not have pulled out of the match against Botswana had he not had a history of injury over the preceding two seasons, which had curtailed his chances of breaking into the Ajax team.
"But it was my third year at Ajax and I wanted to succeed."
Serero added: "I've had contact since but I'm not going to say sorry. I've always wanted to play for my country. That I am proud of."
Serero's acknowledgement of contact with Igesund confirms what the coach said in November when he explained why Serero had not been called up for the friendly against Spain.
At the time, Igesund said: "I had a telephonic conversation with Thulani and I also have spoken to his advisers. The issues have been resolved. He is fully committed to the national team, but wants some time to get 100% fit. He is a young man and made a mistake, and I will certainly not hold any grudges."
But Igesund's assertion that Serero needed more time to get fit proved unconvincing as it came just days after a stellar performance when Ajax Amsterdam beat Celtic of Scotland in the Champions League.
Soweto-born Serero's comeback could likely happen in March when South Africa host Brazil in a prestige friendly at Soccer City.
He has 12 caps for the country.
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