Some Proteas players might have to fly directly to Pakistan for a triangular ODI series immediately after the SA20 final at the Wanderers on February 8.
The Proteas are set to play their first match of the Tri-Series, which also includes New Zealand, on February 10. According to TimesLive, while Cricket South Africa (CSA) will have up to 40 players on standby to travel to Pakistan due to the SA20, there won't be a repeat of last season's situation, where the Proteas had to field a C-team for a two-Test series in New Zealand.
"Multiple groups of players will be heading to Pakistan," explained CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki. "The first group will depart on Wednesday, February 5, once the SA20 playoffs begin, with the rest of the squad for the Tri-Series travelling on different days depending on their participation in the SA20."
Moseki further elaborated, "Those in the squad who are playing in the SA20 final will likely fly out that evening, February 8. We’ll be dealing with a lot of visa applications, probably for about 40 players. But it won't be a disaster like we faced with New Zealand earlier this year."