South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock admits to some doubts about a return to the international fold after coming out of retirement to represent his country again in white-ball cricket.
The left-handed batter makes his return after retiring from the 50-overs format at the end of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He last played in the T20 side at the 2024 World Cup, where South Africa lost in the final to India.
"Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us," coach Shukri Conrad said last month. "When we spoke about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country.
"Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side and having him back can only benefit the team."
But De Kock admits it was not an easy decision after more than a decade as an international player during which there was plenty of heartache in a Proteas jersey.
“Honestly, I just wanted to get back and win games for the Proteas again, that’s pretty much what it comes down to. There’s nothing else to it,” De Kock told the Sunday Times. “But I was very unsure if I should or not.”
“I was pretty tired of being a Protea at that stage (when he retired). I had been playing with the Proteas for over a decade. All the travel and representing my country, it kind of broke me.
“Mentally it took a toll on me. It’s tough dealing with losses when expectations are so high. Eventually I decided, I don’t know if I can carry on doing this.”
His U-turn comes as South Africa head to the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year, and co-host the 2027 Cricket World Cup with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
“I was nervous about getting back into a system where I know dealing with certain pressures and heartbreaks takes a toll,” De Kock said. “Speaking to Shukri was the easy part, we are very honest with each other.
“I haven’t really thought about the 2027 World Cup, or even next year’s T20 World Cup. I’m just trying to figure out how I’ll score runs in the next series. I’m taking it one step at a time.
“There’s some seriously good talent in the team at the moment, and they seem to be playing really well.”
De Kock has been selected for the One Day International and Twenty20 International South Africa squads that tour Pakistan later this month.
The three-match T20 series runs from October 28-November 1, and the three ODIs from November 4-8.