News | Enoch Nkwe pleads with Mzansi for their continued support of the Proteas at World Cup

Cricket South Africa Director of National Teams and High Performance, Enoch Nkwe, pleads with the South African public to continue getting behind the Proteas as they are set to face India in Ahmedabad on Sunday in their opening fixture of the Super 8 stage of the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup. 

Cricket in South Africa is currently in a healthy state, with both the Men's and Women's teams having achieved remarkable feats in recent years. 

The Women have reached three back-to-back ICC finals,  the 2023 and 2024 T20 World Cups, and last year's ODI World Cup in India. 

On the other hand, the Men's team won the ICC World Test Championship at Lord's last year, and toured Pakistan and India for Test series', and returned home with positive results. 

Here at home, the SA20 has injected life into the game again, bringing the supporters back to the stadiums around the country and providing the much-needed financial muscle in the game. 

As a result, the Proteas men have enjoyed a lot of support from South Africa in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup, a feat that has undoubtedly played a part in the team going through the group stage of the tournament unbeaten. 

Nkwe acknowledged the support from Mzansi at large and pleaded for the country to continue to show their unwavering support for the team as they take on India on Sunday, in what is an important fixture. 

"The fans and every stakeholder have been critical on this journey in terms of what we've achieved over the last couple of years and the things that we're looking to achieve in the future. I just want to thank everyone who has really been behind the team so far. Through thick and thin, so many people have stuck by the team because they believe that the Proteas can actually do it and that it's just a matter of time," Nkwe told Independent Media. 

"That's the level of support that we'll continue to ask from all our stakeholders to keep backing the boys. They did the same with the ladies. It just goes to show that when we're all in it, we can do great things.

"I'll continue to ask for that level of support from everybody and keep believing in this group of players that they can actually do it. All of us, let's get behind this team and push them over the line in winning this World Cup."

The Proteas team continue their search for the country's first World Cup trophy, and the fixture against India on Sunday is the first step to creating history and inspiring the next generation.

The fixture between South Africa and India is scheduled to start at 3:30 pm SAST at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. 

Ongama Gcwabe is a prominent sports journalist. Writing for Independent Media as a senior contributor, he is recognised for his expertise in SA cricket.