Kermit Erasmus hopes to take his Afcon audition with both hands after being named in a 30-man Bafana Bafana provisional squad earlier this week.
The Cape Town City striker scored three goals since arriving on a free transfer from Vitoria de Setubal in January, helping the Citizens to a fourth-placed PSL finish.
And while coach Stuart Baxter has not guaranteed him a place in the final 23-man group going to Egypt next month, the 28-year-old is keen to show that he is ready to step up on the big stage after two tough years in the international wilderness.
He says: “The competition is good, it brings the best out of me and it can only be of benefit to the national team that there is strong competition for places. At the end of the day, football is a team sport and it’s about doing your best to help the team.
“I’m looking forward to the camp now and showing what I can do and I believe in my ability to make a positive contribution.
“I think we have a fantastic group of players, and whoever represents the country at Afcon will do well.”
The former Orlando Pirates star revealed he has been staying late after practice to learn from his idol, City boss Benni McCarthy to up his game.
He adds: “I work with coach Benni doing extra training after our sessions.
“It’s been great for me, I looked up to him as a player when I was a youngster, he was my idol, playing the same position as me.”