Proteas captain Bjorn Fortuin expects another highly competitive contest against Namibia as South Africa turn their attention to the three-match ODI series in Windhoek.

The two sides have already met twice during the T20I Tri-Series, and Fortuin believes South Africa have seen enough to know that Namibia cannot be taken lightly as they move into the 50-over format.

“I think we’ve seen over the past two games that we’ve played, it’s been highly competitive. We’ve seen their skill being displayed in various sectors of the game and in various forms of skill. So we expect no different from them from an opposition side.

“We expect the game to be high quality. We expect their skill to come through, not only because it’s a longer format of the game, but because these are their own conditions. They do play fairly well in these conditions.

“So I’m expecting nothing different than another high competitive series.”

Namibia continuing to improve

Namibia have shown their ability to compete with South Africa in recent encounters, and Fortuin believes their progress extends beyond their performances against the Proteas.

Asked about Namibia’s development in international cricket, Fortuin pointed towards what they have achieved against other countries on the world stage.

“What I can sort of shed some light on is how Namibia has gone from strength to strength over the past few years.

“We’ve seen them not only compete against us, but compete against multiple nations on the world stage. So their cricket is improving, their players are definitely improving as well.

“And I’ve got no doubt that they’ll keep improving going into the future.”

That improvement, combined with Namibia’s familiarity with conditions in Windhoek, means Fortuin is expecting another serious challenge for his young Proteas side.

Fortuin not looking beyond Namibia

Fortuin has also been selected in South Africa’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, but the spinner isn’t allowing himself to look too far ahead.

There are aspects of his own game he wants to work on heading into the home summer, but his immediate focus remains on Namibia.

“Yeah, in terms of individual skills, there are obviously things that I would like to work on going into that season. But in saying that, I wouldn’t be looking too far ahead into the future.

“As I just mentioned, we’ve had two highly competitive games against Namibia and that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

“So every game as it comes, and hopefully we just go from strength to strength.”

Bosch and Breetzke add experience

South Africa will be without Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Andile Simelane for the ODI series, but Corbin Bosch and Matthew Breetzke come into the squad.

Fortuin welcomed the additions, particularly with a significant international summer approaching.

“Yeah, it’s great to have them back into the fold, obviously leading into a big summer back home. So it’s nice to see them get onto the park as well.

“I know they’ve been playing quite a bit of cricket abroad. So they’ll no doubt bring their own individual quality back into the squad. Matty B is also a leader in his own right.

“So there should be a few more calmer heads in the squad going into the next series. So I’ve got no doubt that they’ll hold the team in good stead and add value.”

For the Proteas, the ODI series represents another opportunity for a relatively young group to gain international experience before a busy home summer.

But after what Fortuin has seen from Namibia already, his message is clear: South Africa’s focus cannot drift towards what comes next.

First, they have another competitive series to deal with in Windhoek.

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