The Proteas’ Patrick Kruger is appreciating the competition with fellow all-rounder Wiaan Mulder during this month’s T20I series against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates.
Kruger and Mulder are the two all-rounders in the 15-man squad, which also includes the uncapped Andile Simelane.
“Competition brings the best out of me. Knowing a guy is coming for your spot or you have to work to obviously be, say the number one pick in the team as an all-rounder,” said Kruger.
“I don’t want to think about it as competition and stuff. I just want to give myself the best chance to get picked and perform at the end of the day.
“Good competition brings the best out of players if you know you are competing with guys in the squad. It brings the best out of me.”
Kruger won the SA20 title with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape earlier this year – and has since been capped four times by the Proteas at T20I level. He has been retained by the Sunrisers for the 2025 SA20.
“The game moves and the intensity of international cricket, if I came here not playing SA20, it would have been a bit tougher,” he added.
“I am more mature now and I know my game. I know my role better than before, so it’s basically just trusting myself and backing my preparations.”
South Africa and Ireland will contest two T20Is in Abu Dhabi. Early next month, they will meet for three ODIs in the same city.