Exclusive: Klusener Hails SA20’s Impact as Proteas End 27-Year Drought, Welcomes De Kock Back

South Africa has turned over a new leaf recently. They finished runners-up in the T20 World Cup in 2024 and won the World Test Championship this year, thus breaking the 27-year-old jinx of no ICC trophies; their last victory was the Champions Trophy in 1998.

They also won an ODI bilateral series in England this month after 27 years. After many years, Proteas cricket resembles the strong force it was during the Hansie Cronje era, with a solid group of technically strong batters, all-rounders, spinners with accuracy and variations, and lethal fast bowlers.

The SA20 effect, an automatic development

Former South Africa all-rounder Lance Klusener, part of the golden era under Cronje, credited the SA20, South Africa's homegrown T20 franchise league, for making a difference in the attitude of the players.

Cricketers such as Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, and Kwena Maphaka are a few examples from the next generation of Proteas cricketers who showcased their talent in the league. At the same time, the senior have found an new avenue to express themselves and guide the youngsters.

Brevis became the most expensive player in SA20 history after being sold to the Pretoria Capitals for R16.5 million for the fourth edition starting December 26.

"SA20 has definitely provided the platform, I guess, for an improvement in the quality of cricket," Klusener, who recently coached the Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Caribbean Premier League, told SportsBoom.co.za in an exclusive interaction.

All six SA20 franchises, Durban's Super Giants, Joburg Super Kings, MI Cape Town, Paarl Royals, Pretoria Capitals, and Sunrisers Eastern Cape, are under Indian Premier League team owners, which Klusener felt was a boost. 

"The fact that it is owned by IPL owners is a platform for players to showcase their talent, for potentially getting involved in the IPL," he added.

The return of Quinton de Kock in ODIs

Klusener also welcomed the return of wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock in the ODI setup. The southpaw announced retirement after the semifinal loss to Australia in the ICC World Cup 2023. He is scheduled to return after two years for the series against Pakistan in October.

If the 32-year-old decides to stick on for one more year, he could end up playing the next ODI World Cup, which will be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 2027. 

"I wish Quinton all the best for returning and being available for South Africa. We all know how fantastic a player he is. Deep down, he probably believes he has unfinished business as a performer for South Africa. It is awesome to have a world-class player like him in the squad. Once he gets going, he is amazing," said Klusener, who smashed 5,482 runs and picked up 272 international wickets for the Proteas between 1996 and 2004.

Left-hander de Kock is eighth in the list of the top 10 South African ODI batters with 6,770 runs, including 21 centuries and 30 fifties, in 155 outings. He will surpass Gary Kirsten (6,798) and Graeme Smith (6,989) once he resumes business.

Besides touring Pakistan for two tests, three T20Is, and as many ODIs, South Africa will head to India in November, where they will play two extra T20Is (five overall). "India and Pakistan are tough places to play cricket, but these players have been there enough times to know what to expect in those conditions," said the veteran all-rounder.

Twenty-seven is a curious number. It claimed rock legends like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and Brian Jones. Yet in 2025, it stands for something reborn, the resurgence of Proteas cricket, perhaps echoing the magic of 1998.