Proteas to focus on Namibia and not T20 World Cup

Namibia will host the first international at its swanky new facility in Windhoek, with neighbours South Africa testing the Namibia Cricket Ground in a T20 International against the Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

At a cost of about R69m, the new venue, which holds 7,000 spectators, is seen as a vital next step for the sport in a country that is hosting the 2027 World Cup in conjunction with South Africa and Zimbabwe.

“It’s a massive day for us,” said Namibia’s captain Gerhard Erasmus.

“It’s been many years of building cricket in Namibia and it culminates in this moment. It’s nice to finally have a home for Namibia.”

Erasmus’ side recently qualified for next year’s T20 World Cup, which is another important step for the team’s development ahead of the ODI tournament in two years’ time.

The stadium stands as one demonstration of the country’s progress, but improved performances against the top tier nations like South Africa is another.

“We want to mix more with the bigger teams,” said Erasmus.

It is their first international match against South Africa, who will be captained by Donovan Ferreira, in the absence of Aiden Markram who is preparing to lead the Test team against Pakistan in Lahore on Sunday.

“We don’t know what to expect. We’ll have to assess conditions quickly and then stick to our skills,” said Ferreira, who was recalled to the South African side in England, and will be playing only his ninth international on Saturday.

The South African squad includes Quinton de Kock, who will be playing his first Proteas match since the semifinal of the 2023 World Cup.

De Kock stressed that his focus was entirely on Saturday’s match and not Pakistan, where he is part of both the ODI and T20 International squads.

“We are here, we are going to be present for this game, we can’t be thinking about Pakistan,” said De Kock.

Ferreira agreed. “It’s important for us to uphold the standards that we have as a Protea group, and it’s important we bring our top game.

“You can’t take any game lightly. You can’t think you can just come here and win, that’s not how sport works. If you have that mentality, there will be big disappointment. It’s important to focus on this game and not worry about the tour to Pakistan.”

With Shukri Conrad in Pakistan, Malibongwe Maketa will oversee the Proteas’ preparation, and with spots still up for grabs for next year’s T20 World Cup, every opportunity matters for the Proteas players.

However the South Africans are also aware of the importance of the match, for their neighbours.

“It’s an iconic moment for Namibia,” said opening batter Reeza Hendricks.

“I’ve been here before and played on different fields. The hard work that has been put in, to come this far, to have their own stadium and with what else they’ve achieved as a cricket nation in the last couple of years is amazing.”

“For us to be part of this occasion, as much as it is a proud achievement for Namibia, it’s a big moment of pride for us as well.”