• De Kock rediscovers Proteas passion

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    Quinton de Kock says his “childhood dream” to represent South Africa returned during his time away from international cricket.

    The 32-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup and stepped away from T20Is following last year’s global tournament. But when the Proteas were in Australia for an ODI series in August, De Kock phoned coach Shukri Conrad about making a comeback.

    He returned to action in the T20I defeat to Namibia in Windhoek, scoring just one, and made 23 in the Proteas’ 55-run win over Pakistan in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. The second T20I takes place in Lahore on Friday (5pm SA time).

    “I think the things I missed the most was camaraderie and just the whole thing of representing the Proteas,” said De Kock. “I played so much for the Proteas over the years and I think I forgot about that. As a kid, I grew up wanting to be a Protea and I think after a bit of a break from the team, that childhood dream came back.”

    The former captain said he has relished being part of a new environment.

    “I’ve really enjoyed seeing all the new faces. Now I’m playing with a whole bunch of youngsters and a new coaching staff and I’m making new friends. It’s been cool being back and I’m just trying to find my feet,” he said.

    De Kock also reflected on the changing of generations within the Proteas camp.

    “When I started, one of the guys I stuck close to and who is one of my good friends now was Dale Steyn. He taught me a couple of lessons along the way that really helped my career, and to this day we are very tight,” he said.

    “I’ve come back and a couple of the youngsters have been asking me questions, and I’m happy to be of help where I can, like what Dale did for me. If I make an impact in their career, then great.

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    “It’s different coming back as one of the older guys; I’ve been used to being one of the younger guys in the team. I was speaking to Reeza [Hendricks], and we both said it feels like the other day we were playing U19 cricket. Now we’re the oldest guys in the squad. It is what it is.”

    Photo: Muhammad Sameer/Ali Getty Images

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    Simon Borchardt