EXCLUSIVE | Nkwe: SA 'A' programme key to building winning culture ahead of 2027 World Cup

Cricket South Africa director of national teams and high performance, Enoch Nkwe, reiterated the importance of the South Africa 'A' programme to continue breeding talent for the Proteas as the 2027 Cricket World Cup looms.

New Zealand 'A' are set to tour South Africa this month for three one-day games and two four-day games against a strong SA 'A' squad, which features Proteas fast bowlers Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee. With Proteas coach Shukri Conrad looking to further instil a winning culture in the Proteas set-up across all formats, the SA 'A' programme becomes an important element to start instilling that culture.

Nkwe reiterated that they aim to instil that culture in coach Wandile Gwavu's SA 'A' squad, who will face New Zealand 'A' in Benoni and Potchefstroom later this month.

"We've been having conversations since May — myself, coach Wandile and coach Shukri — in planning forward and what we want out of the SA 'A' content, in fitting it into the Proteas and supporting the Proteas for us now," Nkwe told Independent Media in an exclusive interview.

"We are in a position where the result is becoming important. We've got the pool of players and the quality of players. Now, it's about driving our brand of cricket — and you saw a glimpse of it against the West Indies.

"The plan is going to be ensuring that the players, mentally, physically, skill-wise, and in every way, are ready to jump into the Proteas set-up whenever they get an opportunity. So, winning as the SA 'A' team is a priority because we need to drive that winning mindset that the Proteas are also looking for.

"With the New Zealand series, for us it's very important that we are very competitive and we're always putting ourselves in a position of winning so we can carry through that mindset to the Proteas."

The SA 'A' programme has been an important part of the structure that Nkwe and CSA have invested in over the past two to three years. The likes of Tristan Stubbs, Tony de Zorzi and Gerald Coetzee all honed their skills at the SA 'A' level before seamlessly making the step up to international cricket.

Many other Proteas players have followed the same route, and Nkwe wants more of the same result as the 2027 ODI World Cup looms.

"I remember being asked a question two years ago about Test cricket and the limited number of Test matches. And yes, looking at the FTP then, it was also a struggle because the windows were very full," said Nkwe.

"So, for us, it gave us an opportunity to strengthen the SA 'A' content and continue to look at opportunities through SA 'A' and how we bridge the gap. How do we get certain players ready — for Test cricket, for ODI cricket — and we've been very intentional.

"Our biggest goal is winning that Cricket World Cup at home in 2027, but leading up to that, there are opportunities with the WTC and being able to retain it in 2027 — and now, how do we go about it? The SA 'A' element fits into that picture."