The Proteas camp needs a pick-me-up and the limited-overs boys arrived just in time for that.
Out to erase the nightmare that was the two-Test series against hosts Sri Lanka when they start the five-match ODI series on Sunday, coach Ottis Gibson’s team has been boosted by the arrival of no less than seven players - Junior Dala, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder and Andile Phehlukwayo.
At the top of the pile is the experienced JP Duminy, who has quit five-day cricket in an effort to prolong his limited-overs career.
Koppe, 34, comes in with a cool old head after 184 one-dayers under his belt and is a proven leader that can energise the camp with both bat and ball.
With the South Africans having struggled against Sri Lanka’s spin attack on the dusty pitches, Duminy might be the one to show them the way in the 50-over format.
Then there’s Reeza Hendricks.
The 28-year-old opening batsman has waited a long time for his ODI debut and if he gets a chance on this tour, he will surely be out to make the most of it.
With no AB de Villiers in their arsenal, the Proteas will look to the likes of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller to give them a much-needed boost in smacking boundaries.
BIG HITTER: South Africa's middle-order star David Miller. Photo: CHRIS RICCO/BACKPAGEPIX
Klaasen, 26, has proven his worth as a T20I player and will rival Quinton de Kock for the right to keep wicket in this series.
In the three ODIs he’s played against India earlier this year, Klaasen scored 110 runs at an average of over 36.
But the master blaster for South Africa is undoubtedly Miller.
A veteran of 105 ODIs, Miller needs no introduction as a big hitter.
And along with Klaasen, possibly coming in at No.6, they are sure to entertain.
On the bowling front, Dale Steyn is not in the 50-over team.
SA also don’t have No.1 ODI spinner Imran Tahir on this tour and will again rely on Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, with Duminy helping out.
Proteas:
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Junior Dala, Quinton de Kock, JP Duminy, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi.