Temba Bavuma Proteas

Temba Bavuma and the Proteas will face a key World Cup opener on Monday. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Proteas T20 World Cup skipper Temba Bavuma looks to draw inspiration from Springboks

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes he and his charges can take inspiration from the Springboks’ recent Rugby Championship win over New Zealand.

Temba Bavuma Proteas

Temba Bavuma and the Proteas will face a key World Cup opener on Monday. Photo: AFP via Getty Images

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma believes he and his team can take inspiration from the Springboks’ recent Rugby Championship win over the All Blacks.

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The Springboks lost back-to-back Rugby Championship matches to the Wallabies and then to the All Blacks before rebounding to wrap up their tournament with a last-minute win over New Zealand last weekend.

Bavuma said that was the the type of mentality the Proteas need as they head into the T20 World Cup in Abu Dhabi later this month.

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“There is a lot of inspiration that we can draw from the Springboks,” Bavuma told TimesLIVE.

“As much as how they performed in the Rugby Championship [where they finished third behind New Zealand and Australia] did not go according to how they would have wanted, but we always had that sense of belief that they can win at any time.

“That fight that they have, the resilience that they have showed over the years, I guess it is something that as sportspeople we admire.

“As the Proteas we bank on our resilience. We also know that the people at home want us to do well on a big stage.”

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The Proteas have warm-up matches against Afghanistan on Monday, 18 October (12:00 SA time) and Pakistan on Wednesday, 20 October (16:00 SA time) before their T20 World Cup campaign gets underway against Australia on Saturday, 23 October (12:00 SA time).

Proteas’ T20 World Cup squad:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen

Traveling reserves: Andile Phehlukwayo, George Linde, Lizaad Williams

Proteas’ schedule at T20 World Cup – Super 12:

All times SA

Saturday, 23 October: Australia v South Africa, Abu Dhabi – 12:00

Tuesday, 26 October: South Africa v West Indies, Dubai – 12:00

Saturday, 30 October: South Africa v A1, Sharjah – 12:00

Tuesday, 2 November: South Africa v B2, Abu Dhabi – 12:00

Saturday, 6 November: England v South Africa, Sharjah – 16:00

Playoffs:

Wednesday, 10 November: Semi-final 1 (A1 v B2), Abu Dhabi – 16:00

Thursday, 11 November: Semi-final 2 (B1 v A2), Dubai – 16:00

Sunday, 14 November: Final, Dubai – 16:00