This gave thousands of cricket fans, young and old, the chance to meet and greet their heroes. For the youngsters, there was also an opportunity to play mini-cricket with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Lungi Ngidi.

In addition, fans could get up close and personal with the iconic Mace – the symbol of the world’s best Test team.

In Kimberley, the fun and games took place at the Diamond Oval, while in Bloemfontein the world champions visited Tsoseletso High School in Rocklands.

National captain Temba Bavuma. Photo: Morgan Piek

Speaking to OFM Sport, Proteas T20 International captain and opening batter Aiden Markram – who, along with Rabada and Corbin Bosch, also won the U19 Cricket World Cup in 2014 – said engaging with enthusiastic youngsters is a good reminder for the players to always stay grounded, and remember where it all began.

“It’s been good. It was an early start, obviously out of Joburg, but we got a very warm reception in Kimberley and much the same here in Bloemfontein,” said Markram.

“So, it’s special to come back. We’ve played one or two games there, but we don’t go there too often. To still see the amount of support in these areas is really special for us.

“It’s special, and I don’t think you actually realise how deep it goes. I sometimes think it’s quite surface level, and while we obviously get heaps of support, you don’t always know how far it flows into these valleys, into so many places you wouldn’t expect.

“To be exposed to it and see how people appreciate it is really quite a big blessing.”

The big talking point in South African cricket this week is the highly anticipated return of Quinton de Kock to international cricket after a hiatus of more than a year. While De Kock is not part of the Mace Tour, having long retired from Test cricket, he is a close friend of Markram’s and was also part of the 2014 U19 World Cup-winning team.

Markram told OFM Sport that it is fantastic to have De Kock making his return to international cricket next month when the Proteas tour Pakistan, and he believes the big-hitting wicketkeeper will always add value to the national side.

Aiden Markram enjoying a game of mini-cricket with aspiring Proteas. Photo: Morgan Piek

“100% – there are not many Quinton de Kock’s floating around the world, and obviously he’s achieved heaps before his initial retirement,” Markram said.

“To have him back, and more importantly, to have him back with that attitude of desperately wanting to return, add value, and chase trophies – it’s a Quinton de Kock you’re super happy to have around the camp.

“He knows exactly where he needs to be, and I think Shukri Conrad has addressed everything. From a player’s point of view, we’re really happy to have him back.”

Fast bowling great Kagiso Rabada teaching the youngsters some finer details of his craft. Photo: Morgan Piek

De Kock is truly the original with regards to a young player being fast-tracked into international cricket, having made his senior national debut at just 20 years old. 

With the Proteas moving towards giving opportunities to very young talents such as Lhuan-Dré Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, Markram believes that De Kock can help steer these players in the right direction.

“For sure, there’s heaps of knowledge in that man – people might not always see it from the outside, but his cricket brain is really sharp,” Markram added.

Aiden Markram and Corbin Bosch. Photo: Morgan Piek

“He spends a lot of time behind the stumps, and he’s a gem to have as a captain, too, giving you that info.

“So, he’s got a lot of knowledge to pass on to the younger guys, and ultimately, that will help grow the game in South Africa and allow those youngsters to develop as quickly as possible.”

The Proteas’ next assignment will be the tour to Pakistan, which features a two-Test series, a three-match T20 International series, and a three-match One-Day International series. The first Test at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore gets underway on 12 October. A day earlier, on 11 October, a slightly different-looking Proteas team will face Namibia in a historic one-off T20 International in Windhoek.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs