Faf du Plessis highlights the Mzansi Super League’s role in growing the standard of cricket in South Africa, writes Ongama Gcwabe.

At Cricket Fanatics Magazine our main purpose is to bring the fans closer to the players and the players closer to the fans.

Our very own Khalid Mohidin had Faf du Plessis deliver a message to the Proteas fans and the Paarl Rocks fans in an exclusive interview.

The South African domestic structure has come into question in the past few months after the Proteas had a disappointing World Cup campaign and lost five consecutive Test matches.

The Mzansi Super League has created a bridge between our domestic structure and the national team. The busy international calendar prevents our internationals from representing their local franchises.

This means that the established Proteas players cant directly transfer their international knowledge to the domestic players in trying to show them what it takes to be a Protea.

“There’s not always time to give back to the domestic game because that is the perfect world,” said Du Plessis.

“But what this league has created, it’s created a window for national players to be available to play.

“All national players want to play because we all see the value of the game growing in the country and we see the value of this league in what it is going to change.”

The MSL 2.0 which starts on Friday 8 November and gives yet another valuable opportunity for the youngsters to match themselves up against the best cricketers in the world.

“I’ve seen first-hand every year how much stronger the Indian machine gets (because of IPL),” Du Plessis continued.

“Young guys are just playing against the greats of the game. You get an Indian batter now that faces a Mitchell Starc, a Kagiso Rabada, a Dale Steyn, every game.

“There’s that confidence that you get from just being around (these great) players and playing against them all the time. That’s why this league is so important for the future of our game and the standard of cricket (improving).”

Faf also highlighted that it would boost our talent pool if we had consultants who are not only involved with the Proteas but also with the South Africa teams that will produce future Proteas.

“Claude Henderson was with the team for a long time but with the restructuring of the coaching staff he wasn’t part of that,” he added.

“Perhaps what we could do better is to get a spin bowling consultant that works with the levels below as well. So, you have someone who works with the national side but also goes down and works with the (SA) A side, the national academy and the under 19’s.

“By the time those guys get to the top-level, they’ve actually worked with someone for a long period of time. I think that would fast track us from all departments, not just spin bowling.”

Faf’s message to the Proteas fans and the Paarl Rocks fans?

“Proteas fans, stick with us. There’s a lot of talent in South Africa. So in time, hopefully, this process happens quickly and we get back on that world stage of dominating against other teams. The England series would be the first step in that.

“Us as the team, we take a lot of pride in making sure that we represent the country as well as possible and we know that only comes with winning games of cricket, so we don’t take any shortcuts with that.”

“Paarl Rocks fans, we’re looking forward to seeing the purple stadium again,” he added.

“I was really impressed last year for a province or franchise that is so small and never sees cricket.

“The amount of passion that there was in the fans, loads of fans shouting and dancing – That’s how it should be. Hopefully, we can be the loudest fans in the country.”