In just over a year, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia will stand together as co-hosts of the 2027 Cricket World Cup — the first time the tournament has returned to African soil in 24 years.
For Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad, this month's T20I tri-series in Windhoek therefore means much more than just another tour; it is the beginning of a relationship that will bring two southern African neighbours much closer together.
"I think we've got that responsibility as the — let's call it 'the big brother' — to ensure that we assist where we can in the development of cricket in all of Africa," Conrad said. "And I think it's a wonderful place to start with our closest neighbours in Zimbabwe and Namibia."
There have been arrangements in the past that granted Namibia the opportunity to compete in South Africa’s premier domestic 45-over one-day competition — ironically to prepare them for participation in the 2003 World Cup when Africa last hosted the tournament.
The Namibians have also previously featured in South Africa's secondary domestic tiers, competing for years in the CSA Provincial Competitions (three-day first-class and one-day List A tournaments).
But there has only been one official fixture between the national sides, which took place when Namibia hosted the Proteas in October last year to commemorate the official inauguration of their brand-new, state-of-the-art Namibia Cricket Ground (NCG) in Windhoek. Much to the delight of the locals, the home side defeated their more-fancied visitors in a historic T20I thriller.
The hope is that the upcoming tour is a precursor to a standalone continental competition — The Africa Cup — which has moved from informal discussion toward active planning by the respective boards. The Africa Cricket Association has placed it high on its priority list, with proceeds from the series directed towards growing the game elsewhere on the continent.
"I know there's been talk of an Africa Cup going forward," Conrad said.
"I know very little about it, but I'm certainly prepared to throw all of my weight behind that. I think we've got a responsibility to cricket in all of Africa.
"Especially with the World Cup next year being co-hosted with the Namibians and Zimbabwe, I think it's a wonderful opportunity to create this groundswell of excitement in the southern part of Africa, and hopefully that can spread through all of Africa as well."
For Conrad, who has previously coached the Uganda national team, the trip carries added significance as it will be his first visit to Namibia.
"I'm particularly looking forward to Namibia. I've never been, believe it or not," he said. "And I think from there, it will grow."
He has, therefore, tapped into his resources on the continent, such as his former Cape Cobras assistant coach and Western Province head coach, Salieg Nackerdien — who now coaches in Tanzania — for intelligence on the Namibians and the conditions at the NCG.
"I think, as has been the norm, we obviously try and gather as much intel as we can. The match we played at the inauguration of the stadium — I don't think it was the best wicket," Conrad said.
"I'm not saying that because we came second there, but I've certainly been watching and following a lot of the Division Two, or whatever league that is, that Namibia are playing in, and hopefully they get through that well enough to qualify for the World Cup.
"So, I'm expecting it to be a lot better than it was on that first day. Certainly, the scores are suggesting that it has gotten better, and I think naturally fresh wickets get better the more they're played on.
"I'm expecting nothing short of a really good facility. They've got some wonderful people involved in Namibian cricket. Johan Muller is the CEO, and I see (former Proteas allrounder and Conrad’s Cobras captain) Justin Kemp has been appointed as the director of cricket there as well. So, I'm expecting a top-class facility with top-class competition, and I am really looking forward to it."
The tri-series begins at the end of the month and runs until September 6 in the Namibian capital, before Conrad's charges pad up for three maiden ODIs against the hosts.