It will be the first time the two sides go head-to-head in a T20 international, and as the 2024 runners-up in the USA and Caribbean, South Africa will start as firm favourites to kick off their Indian campaign on a winning note.

However, it may not be as straightforward as it looks on paper. Much of the Canadian squad is made up of Indian expatriates, meaning they are well versed in subcontinent conditions. 

That familiarity could make them tricky opponents, especially on surfaces that tend to reward patience, smart bowling, and sharp cricketing brains.

Kagiso Rabada. Photo: Cricinfo

The opening weekend of the World Cup also served as a timely reminder that no team can afford to take anything for granted. Several associate nations showed they are more than capable of going toe-to-toe with the traditional powerhouses, with more than one heavyweight surviving a genuine scare.

South Africa, though, arrive in India brimming with confidence – and with good reason. The Proteas came within seven runs of lifting the trophy at the previous T20 World Cup, falling just short against hosts India in a tense final.  Since then, they have continued to build momentum across formats. In the longest version of the game, the Proteas were crowned world champions for the first time after winning the ICC World Test Championship. 

They followed that up with a historic Test series victory in India – their first on Indian soil in more than 25 years. While T20 cricket is a very different beast, many of the players involved in those landmark achievements remain key figures in the current squad.

Fast-bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada believes past success can fuel belief, but said the Proteas are careful not to become complacent.

Speaking to OFM Sport, Rabada explained the leadership group is aligned in how they approach the new challenge.

“I think myself, Aiden Markram, Shukri Conrad, and the rest of the leadership group are very much on the same page. 

“What we’ve done in the past definitely gives you motivation and belief that you can do it again, simply because you’ve been there before. Taking confidence from that is pretty natural.”

Kagiso Rabada celebrating a USA wicket during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Photo: Cricinfo

“This is a new tournament, but that doesn’t mean you can’t draw confidence from past performances.”

Rabada added players often reflect most when the going gets tough.

“As players, especially when you go through a tough patch, you tend to look back at what you’ve done well before. When things are going well, you don’t think too much about it, but when they’re not, you start questioning everything.

“Your best reference point is yourself at your best, and then asking the right questions to move forward.”

For Rabada, the key lies in balance.

“So it’s about balancing the two. This is a new tournament, but what we’ve achieved before can still be used as motivation.

“At the same time, we understand that we’re playing at different venues, against slightly different opposition, with different game plans.”

The clash between South Africa and Canada at the Sardar Patel Stadium is scheduled to get underway on Monday at 15:30.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg