Ryan Rickelton eyes Proteas T20I opener role: I won't change my game
With Quinton de Kock absent, Temba Bavuma seemingly out of contention and Reeza Hendricks not in the current squad, the Proteas are looking for a fresh opening combination ahead of next year's T20 World Cup.
That task will likely fall to Rickelton and 20-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius, two left-handed wicketkeepers separated by a decade in age and experience.
Speaking from Darwin, where South Africa begin a three-match T20I series against Australia on Sunday, Rickelton made it clear that his approach will not change.
'I'm still trying to establish myself in the T20 side but I don't think there'll be any expectation for me to change anything that I've been doing in these last two years. It's just an opportunity for me to hopefully claim that opening spot for this South African side, going into the world cup and further on past that.'
Rickelton believes the return of Aiden Markram and Rassie van der Dussen will give him the freedom to attack from the start.
'The way the team is structured fits the mould of how they want me to play too. I am always looking to land that first punch and get the side off to a good start no matter who's alongside me.'
ALSO: Brevis silences the noise
Rickelton, along with Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada, was rested for the recent Tri-Series in Zimbabwe as the Proteas prepare for a gruelling schedule. After the Australia tour, they face England, Pakistan and India, followed by the SA20, a short West Indies series, the T20 World Cup and the IPL.
Rickelton says his maiden IPL stint taught him valuable lessons in managing the mental demands of constant cricket.
'Once you get into the groove of playing a lot of cricket it's great when things are going well, but it can be tough if they're not. It's all about finding the right balance mentally.'
Proteas T20I squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen.
T20I series fixtures (SA times):
Sunday at 11:15: 1st T20I, Darwin
Tuesday at 11:15: 2nd T20I, Darwin
Next Saturday at 11:15: 3rd T20I, Cairns
The post Rickelton: I won't change my game appeared first on SA Cricketmag.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
6 hours ago
- The South African
New Orlando Pirates signing Mariko sent to Chippa United!
Newly-signed Orlando Pirates midfielder Abdoulaye S Mariko has been loaned out to Chippa United. The Mali defensive midfielder will spend the current campaign on loan at Chippa United as Pirates want him to familiarise himself with South African football. He joined Pirates alongside Abdoulaye D Mariko, who is an attacking midfielder and has already made his official debut. Chippa United took to their official social media pages to announce Mariko as their newest and EIGHTH signing of the campaign. As reported by The South African, Chippa United unveiled SEVEN new signings on Wednesday, including two other players from Pirates in Goodman Mosele and Azola Tshobeni. Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news. NB: The two Mariko are NOT related despite both hailing from Mali where they played for the same team Djoliba AC.
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Where is former Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer?
Heyneke Meyer is one of the most celebrated coaches in South Africa, having been the first South African coach to win the Super Rugby trophy. With nearly 30 years of experience coaching professional teams, the Mbombela-born coach has secured multiple trophies, including the 2007 Super Rugby trophy with the Vodacom Bulls. After coaching youth and school teams, Meyer rose to the position of head coach for the SWD Eagles in 1998, where he led the team to strong performances in the Currie Cup. He also served as the forwards coach for the Stormers and Emerging Springboks in 1999. In 2000, Meyer joined the Bulls, guiding them to four Currie Cup titles and a historic Super Rugby title in 2007, making him the first South African coach to achieve this feat. The Bulls also became the first and only team to lift the Super Rugby title at that time. After losing the 2007 Currie Cup semifinal against the Free State Cheetahs, Meyer left the Pretoria franchise. On June 30, 2008, he was named head coach of the Leicester Tigers in England. His tenure was short-lived after he took compassionate leave to attend to family matters in South Africa after just 15 matches. The South African coach subsequently stepped down from his position on January 28, 2009 and later took up an executive role with the Bulls. In January 2012, Meyer was appointed head coach of the Springboks on a four-year term, taking over from Peter de Villiers. During his time, the Springboks played commendable rugby but were often dominated and outplayed by the All Blacks during their golden era. Meyer coached the Springboks in their first-ever game against Japan in the 2015 World Cup. The Brave Blossoms produced one of the biggest upsets in rugby history by defeating the Springboks 34–32 with a try in the corner deep into injury time. Following that match, Meyer faced criticism for favouring 'experience over talent' and was required to issue a public apology to South Africans after the embarrassing defeat. After losing to the All Blacks in the 2015 World Cup semifinal, he expressed a desire to continue as coach, but many opposed the extension of his contract. After departing from the Springboks, Heyneke Meyer took on the head coach/director role at Stade Français in the French Top 14 for the 2018–2019 season. As of mid-2025, Heyneke Meyer serves as the Director of Rugby for the Houston SaberCats in Major League Rugby (MLR), a position he has held since July 2021 and is contracted through the end of the 2025 MLR season. The 57-year-old coach recently said he desired to return to South Africa once his contract expired. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
World champion Coetze proud to join South African swimming greats
Pieter Coetze won gold in the 100m backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships — South Africa's only top-podium finish at the event. Photo: Swimming South Africa Image: Supplied Pretoria swimmer Pieter Coetze said he is honoured to be named in the same league as former Proteas swimmers and his icons like Roland Schoeman and Chad le Clos. Coetze won three of South Africa's four medals at the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, including the country's only gold in the 100m backstroke. In doing so, he set a new African record and became world champion — a dream he has had since taking the sport seriously. The 21-year-old also earned silver medals in the 50m and 200m backstroke events, while Kaylene Corbett secured a bronze in the 200m breaststroke. Those results came on the back of a taxing schedule. A Tuks alum, Coetze had just returned from Germany, where he competed at the World University Games. There, he won gold in the 50m and 100m backstroke and claimed silver in the 100m freestyle. 'It's been a really successful few weeks,' said Coetze. 'Germany set me up really nicely. I was there with my friends and the people I train with every day. I don't always get to do that, so it was a lot of fun and there wasn't much pressure on me. I was able to race and just enjoy myself. 'I had to reset straight after that and go to Singapore without tiring myself out too much or overthinking it. The main thing I focused on was just letting it happen because I had already done the work. I think it went better than I expected, especially to get the gold and finally become world champion. 'It's something I always knew I would do eventually, but to now finally reach that goal is a relief.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Becoming a world champion represents a new level in his career — one he once aspired to when he first began competing seriously. Now the reigning world champion in the 100m backstroke, and only the second South African man to win three medals at a long-course world championship after Schoeman, Coetze said he is 'on top of the world'. 'I am very satisfied with my performance and to see myself at that level,' he said. 'I think it was Roland's record that got equalled. Just people like Roland, Chad, and Tatjana — people who have achieved incredible things — and to now hear my name mentioned with theirs is something I dreamt of since I started swimming more seriously.' Reflecting on the championships, Coetze said the conditions helped him settle and perform. 'It started off with a bang with the gold. Then it was just about gathering my thoughts and emotions and going again, which I think I did quite well. It's quite different from the Olympics because there you're in a village and the conditions aren't the best. 'In Singapore, I was in my own hotel room with my own schedule, which made it easier to perform.'
