The Proteas squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup in India was announced in Bloemfontein on Tuesday morning.

The Proteas are Bloemfontein for the first two One-Day Internationals against Australia that will be played at the Mangaung Oval this.

The squad for the five ODI’s against the five-time World Champions will be competing at the global showpiece on the subcontinent and for both teams it's an opportunity to prepare.

The @ProteasMenCSA squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India entering the Reunie Hall at @GreyKollege #Cricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/wTCWV7QTog

— OFM Sport (@OFMSport) September 5, 2023

The head coach, Rob Walter, named the 15-man squad at Grey College on Tuesday morning with the boys at the famous school ensuring an electric atmosphere.

The second name read out on the list was that of the 22-year-old fast bowler, Gerald Coetzee, who hails from Bloemfontein. The inclusion of the former Knights cricketer may have come as a surprise to some, but he played well for South Africa 'A' in their recent tour to Sri Lanka.

Coetzee who played at the World Cup for South Africa as an 18-year-old, attended Grey College at some stage before completing his schooling down the road at St Andrews School.

Grey College has produced the most One-Day International cricketers in South Africa, while also boasting with the second most Test cricketers.

The @ProteasMenCSA squad for the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India experiencing the @GreyKollege war cry #Cricket #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/dY4UclnDm8

— OFM Sport (@OFMSport) September 5, 2023

Coetzee told OFM Sport that being about to hear his name read out in his home town and at the school he attended was special indeed.

“Just seeing the boys just doing their thing here at Grey reminded me of when I started my journey here as a school cricketer, and it made me emotional,” said the fiery fast bowler.

“I just saw the passion and it reminded me a lot of those days.

“Here I am – I'm very honoured and humbled to be picked to go to a World Cup. It's a very big privilege and coming from a place like Bloem just makes it more special.”

Coetzee added that the focus is on the series for now, but to win a Cricket World Cup in India is the ultimate prize.

“The Australian series now is the first focus, and then we get to the World Cup,” said Coetzee.

“India is tough, but we want to test ourselves in the toughest conditions - that's how we get better and how we learn.

“You want to win a World Cup in India, especially as a team not coming from the subcontinent.”

The first ODI between South Africa and Australia will be played on Thursday at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. Play is scheduled to get underway at 13:00.

Proteas World Cup squad - Temba Bavuma (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Sisanda Magala, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortjé, Tabraiz Shamsi, Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport