For once the Proteas won’t enter a World Cup as one of the favourites.
After years of disappointment, I reckon fans aren’t expecting too much from our boys when they go for that elusive ICC gold.
Now dare I say that this might just count in the favour of captain Faf du Plessis and his men.
Predictions aside, how will the squad look and will all of the players going to England in May be ready to take on the big dogs of the cricket world?
I have my doubts.
Let’s start at the top of the batting order.
Quinton de Kock will be South Africa’s main man at the tournament in the batting department.
NEEDS GAME TIME: Duminy. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
He will be one of the first names dotted down on the squad sheet when coach Ottis Gibson and his selectors sit down to pencil in the names of players that should get their visas sorted out.
Exactly who will be at the other end when De Kock asks for middle when opening the batting remains a mystery.
Reeza Hendricks has been a star for the national team in the T20 format.
But he has not taken his opportunity in the 50-over game.
In four innings against the Sri Lankans, Hendricks scored a total of 42 runs at an average of 10.5.
I don’t need to tell you that’s not good enough to be in a World Cup squad.
So the selectors decided to bring back the experienced Hashim Amla for the final two official ODIs before the big tournament, but Amla had to withdraw from the side.
Still, it would be silly not to take him to the World Cup.
The big question is just; will he be ready?
The other option at the top of the batting order is Aiden Markram.
His unbeaten 67 at Newlands in the final official ODI before the start of the tournament might just be enough to get the selectors to add him to the touring party.
Markram can also drop down the order, beefing up a very lean middle-order for SA.
Luckily for the Proteas, captain Du Plessis is in good form and with Rassie van der Dussen should be the numbers three and four.
On to the No.5 spot.
Only one man can man that position and that's JP Duminy.
Again, Duminy hasn’t played a lot of cricket this season, only recently recovering after having shoulder surgery.
Of his class there is no doubt and he will also give South Africa another spin bowling option.
You have to have him in the team, but his preparation for the tournament has been less than ideal.
With Duminy at No.5, David Miller will be the perfect fit at No.6 - a big hitter that can finish off opponents in a hurry.
Miller has also emerged as a surprise backup gloveman for De Kock, meaning there won’t be any pressure on the selectors to pick a guy like Heinrich Klaasen, who like Reeza, failed to take his chance.
Andile Phelukhwayo has matured into a decent allrounder and will be in the team at No.8.
His deputy as allrounder, I reckon, will be Dwaine Pretorius.
Yes, both of them are bowling allrounders, but they have what it takes to make a difference lower down the batting order.
Then the bowlers.
Imran Tahir and Kagiso Rabada will be there.
Dale Steyn, despite his age and his injury-proneness, is a must - you simply can’t buy that sort of experience.
With Steyn having battled with injury over the last few years, it would be silly not to have a like-for-like replacement for him on the tour.
GOOD IDEA: Anrich Nortje. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
And that’s why I believe including Anrich Nortje in the squad will not be such a bad idea.
Yes, I would have liked a left-arm fast bowler just to add variety, but Beauran Hendricks last played in the series against Pakistan and I get a feeling that he is no longer an option.
Lungi Ngidi will complete a dangerous-looking mean machine for South Africa.
But what happens if the pitches at the tournament don’t suit our fast bowlers?
The answer is in Keshav Maharaj.
Yes, ladies and gentleman, I believe there will be place for both Tahir and Maharaj.
Based on this squad, I believe South Africa do look a bit unbalanced.
And the problem in my books is that we don’t have enough superstar batsmen.
Du Plessis said last week that they don’t rely solely on De Kock.
I still need some convincing though.
Or maybe I’m just protecting myself from yet another Allan Donald/Lance Klusener moment.
Expectation creates disappointment they say.
My Proteas World Cup squad:
Quinton de Kock, Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, JP Duminy, David Miller, Aidan Markram, Andile Phelukhwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Imran Tahir, Kagiso Rabada, Dale Steyn, Lungi Ngidi, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje.