Senior players can continue to perform well into their 30s

The Proteas need to look to the blueprint of the Springboks for guidance as they prepare for the next T20 World Cup. With most key players set to be 33 and above by the next tournament, it is crucial to retain them. The team's defeat to India in the final is still fresh, but attention is already shifting to the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

Leading up to the final, the Proteas had a successful run, remaining unbeaten in eight matches and defeating strong teams like England and the West Indies. Despite a diverse group of players contributing significantly, it was the senior players, aged 31 and older, who were key performers in the tournament.

As players like Keshav Maharaj, Reeza Hendricks, and Tabraiz Shamsi approach their mid to late 30s, their futures in T20 cricket are uncertain. However, experienced players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have shown that elite players can continue to perform well into their 30s.

The Proteas must consider retaining their senior core players, like Heinrich Klaasen, Quinton de Kock, and David Miller, as they prepare for the next World Cup. The success of spinners like Adil Rashid at an older age gives hope that players like Shamsi and Maharaj can still make valuable contributions to the team.

Cricket South Africa must ensure they have strong succession plans in place, as experienced players may be nearing the end of their careers. There are lessons to be learned from the Springboks’ success in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where an experienced core of players proved crucial in navigating through a challenging knockout phase.

The Proteas have unfinished business in the T20 World Cup, and keeping the team together for another shot at the title in 2026 may be the key to breaking the World Cup curse.