‘Best of rivals’ square up in final ODI

REGARDLESS of the result from this morning, South Africa and New Zealand have confirmed to each other that they are the ‘best of rivals’ over the course of the past fortnight.

The cricket itself has been of a very good standard, intensity unwavering; the perfect prep for what both nations expect to be a sincere assault on the Champions Trophy.

That is still three months away, of course. And so, the barometer that they have used is that which stands 22 yards away.

In years gone by, cricket matches between the two nations inspired snarls and the spitting of sledges.

There was genuine animosity, and it spilled over in that quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup, when Kyle Mills became the most involved non-player ever seen.

It was messy, Macchiavellian even, and it threw startled Proteas off their stride.

They learnt, and grew their own set of gnashers.

In the meantime, Brendon McCallum took his men in a new direction, one that was respectful of the game and its ability to humble and honour men in equal measure.

They took a leaf out of the considerable novels of their rugby counterparts, and became greater men for it.

They learnt that they could smile with their foe, even as they traded ferocious blows in the middle.

South Africa have adopted a similar approach, and they have seen the dividends.

The public has benefitted too, observing a wonderful series.

It reached its crescendo this morning, at a venue that has seen many a champagne moment.

AB de Villiers, supposedly out of love with international cricket, has looked like a man refreshed. He has joked with the media and the opposition, and he may watch the Test series with more of a wince than he may the England series.

It has looked like fun, whatever the result.

The friendly rivalry looks set to thrive, and that’s a good thing, especially since the Boks have given way to being the All Blacks’ sternest test. Long may it continue.

•Stephen Cook and Andile Phehlukwayo are among a handful of new players who were given national contracts by Cricket South Africa yesterday.

That pair, join Keshav Maharaj, Chris Morris and Tabraiz Shamsi as new additions to the the list of contracted players which this year number 21, an increase from 18, which CSA explained was as a result of the heavy schedule the national side face in the next year.

Quinton de Kock and Kagiso Rabada, will also join the most senior players in the squad with multi-year contracts underscoring the value they have brought across various formats to the Proteas.