Batsman Graeme Smith has vowed to seize his opportunity after being drafted into South Africa's squad as a replacement for injured Jonty Rhodes.
Smith is a forceful opening bat
The Western Province opener was unlucky to miss out on a place in the original 15-man squad after impressing in both Test and one-day cricket since making his international debut last year.
There was speculation that he had fallen victim to the need to fit five non-white players into the squad.
Smith was called up by the selectors, however, after Rhodes suffered a broken hand while fielding in the game against Kenya.
"The disappointment I went through after being left out of the World Cup squad is the toughest thing I've been through in my life.
Jonty is a special man and no one can even expect to replace a
man like him
"I learned so much from it. About myself, about my cricket,
about what I wanted to achieve," said Smith.
"Also what amazed me was the amount of support I got from
being left out of the squad. I never realised so many people supported me, including the media.
"This was not an opportunity I expected. Many people told me
it would come but I never thought it would."
Smith is rated the top young batsman in South Africa and scored a double century against Bangladesh in only his third Test appearance.
He has scored almost 750 runs in 19 one-day internationals at an average of 41.27.
The 22-year-old has yet to register a one-day century but was run out for 99 against Sri Lanka last November.
Smith paid tribute to Rhodes' efforts on behalf of the national team since his debut more than a decade ago.
But he revealed that he had a premonition something had happened during the Kenya game before he heard the news of the injury.
"Funnily enough, I was watching a movie with a couple of my
mates during the Kenyan game and I walked out of the cinema and
I suddenly had this sick feeling that something had gone wrong.
"I got to my car and the first thing I heard on the radio was that Jonty had broken his hand."
Rhodes said goodbye to his teammates at a net session in Johannesburg on Friday.
"I'm not a good watcher and I'd probably be more annoying to
the guys if I hung around," he commented.