The Proteas have bolstered their squad for the three-match series against the West Indies in the Caribbean with addition of three returning Indian Premier League players.

Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortjé and Quinton de Kock have all been added to the squad for the three games that will be played in Kingston, Jamaica.

In addition, Rassie van der Dussen, has been named as the captain of the team, and this is the first time that he will lead the national team.

This is purely based on his seniority in the team, but it can also be seen as a consolation due to him not making the cut for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup that will be played in the West Indies and the USA.

The Proteas white-ball coach, Rob Walter, said Van der Dussen is one of the more senior players in the squad and he will be the right man for the “Rassie is the captain, and for the job.

“Obviously he just brings a wealth of experience in our group, which is a relatively inexperienced group, barring the three guys who are arriving from the IPL.

“So yeah, he is just a guy we feel would be good in the leadership space, especially with a squad here, and offered huge value given the T20 cricket he has been playing.”

Walter added that it was important to get as much of their preparation done while still in South Africa as it is a long trip to the Caribbean and their turnaround over there will be very quick.

“At the end of the day, it's just really about getting back together, getting competitive, dialling in on our skills.

“We will continue to work on connecting as a unit, but growing our skill sets, growing the self-belief and confidence in our execution, etc.

“Not everyone has had the luxury of the IPL competitiveness, and so it's just about getting back on that plane.

“It's a very, very quick turnaround in the West Indies, given all the travel, etc. So we needed to do the bulk of our work here and not in the West Indies.

Updated Proteas squad – Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Matthew Breetzke, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortjé, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi

Morgan Piek OFM Sport