Dolphins batsman Keegan Petersen is looking to gather personal momentum from his recent debut with the Proteas Test side when he turns out for the Dolphins during the upcoming season.

Petersen, who has been part of the Proteas squad for some time, made his debut in the Caribbean in the first Test match against the West Indies earlier this year. Just getting that first cap was a dream come true for the 28-year-old.

“It was such an honour to make my debut for South Africa,” he said. “I have been waiting very long for that Test cap after being in and out of the camp.

“To finally get my chance was amazing in some trying conditions in the West Indies, but it was still great and now it’s all about trying to get a permanent spot in that team so that’s what I am working towards this winter.”

Having toured with the Proteas and been in the set-up before, Petersen understood the environment but being in the Caribbean for his debut just made the whole tour that much more memorable.

“It’s the Caribbean, so it’s a bit of a holiday destination, so you will always be excited going there!

“It was a fun time being there with a great bunch of guys but getting that debut did bring with it some nerves and anxiety – my emotions were all over the show but, nevertheless, it was a brilliant time,” he added.

When reflecting on his Test debut on 10 June, which the Proteas emphatically won by an innings and 63 runs, not much stands out for Petersen.

“To be honest, I don’t remember much from that match!” he laughed. “Just being part of a winning team and being part of a squad that won a series overseas for the first time in a while was enough.”

Petersen knows that being in an international set-up is very different from the domestic scene and hopes he can bring elements of his international experience back to the Dolphins squad this season.

“The intensity at the international level is much higher than domestic cricket, so you get a bit of a shock when you get there.

“So you have to figure out ways to up your intensity and get yourself on to the same level as the other guys that have been playing there for a long time.

“Hopefully we can bring that back here and show the guys what is expected at the next level and drive the whole squad to that level, so we can dominate the domestic game.

“And also when guys do get call-ups to the Proteas it won’t be a shock for them when they get there,” Petersen added.

The Dolphins begin their campaign with the CSA T20 Knockout Competition and Petersen is hoping that he can continue to grow himself as a cricketer in South Africa’s shortest format of the game.

“I am trying to improve on this aspect of my game and get stronger so I bring something else to the fore.

“It’s been going well so far and hopefully it will show when we get the season under way,” Petersen said confidently.