Rob Walter eager to regain Proteas' World Cup form

Walter, who operates as the sole selector, named a strong 15-player squad for the upcoming three-match One Day International series against Pakistan next week.

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With opportunities afforded to non-regulars in the Afghanistan and Ireland series earlier this year, this will be the first time a full-strength squad reconvenes since facing India in December last year, and Walter is keen to pick up where they left off then.

''Look, I think it's been a long time since the world cup, it feels like forever. We haven’t played a lot of 50-overs cricket in that time, especially the bulk of the group together. So I think it is to touch base again on the way played at the world cup, and to continue on that path. Putting it back into practice as South Africans is important,'' said Walter.

As far as matchday selection goes, Walter stresses he will not be tinkering too much with his line-up, as he looks to build consistency in combinations and performances.

''From a combinations point of view - we don't change a lot - the group is fairly settled, the make-up of the team is fairly settled. It is just potently looking at what if a situation where someone gets injured how do we replace it, how do we balance it. And from a bowling point of view, just being real with the conditions. Like we did at the world cup, 50-overs, we were kind of a 4-2-3-3 split, so we will be doing exactly the same thing,'' added Walter.

18-year-old rising star Kwena Maphaka is set to feature in his maiden 50-over internationals, amid the unavailability of the likes of Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee, and his level of experience and exposure to this format is something Walters is keen to grow.

''I mean we have seen in the T20 obviously young upcoming fast bowlers bowling quick. He gives the left arm option, which is good to have. To give an opportunity to be a part of the group and obviously to play is actually important. We haven't played a lot of 50-overs cricket, which would take a long time to feature him, so we jump on the opportunity when we get a chance to do that, that sums up his inclusion,'' he expressed.

Meanwhile, DP World Lions wrist spinner Nqaba Peter misses out on the ODI series despite featuring in the ongoing T20 series, and Walter had no reservation when it came to highlighting the 23-year-old's position in the pecking order.