Nkwe doesn't believe in 'interfering', even in Proteas' Reeza saga: 'It's just wrong'

Even if he could have it all over again, Enoch Nkwe still wouldn't have exercised any influence on selection in the Proteas failed ICC T20 World Cup campaign.

One issue that continually dogged the team down in Australia was the perseverance with skipper Temba Bavuma, whose poor form going into the tournament as well as during it prompted widespread calls for Reeza Hendricks to take his batting spot.

The Lions stalwart had been granted an international lifeline in mid-year when Bavuma was recovering from an elbow injury and grabbed it with both hands, notably reeling off four consecutive fifties against England and Ireland in respective T20 series.

He also made 74 upon his return to the ODI side in India.

But Nkwe insisted that his broader oversight role doesn't entitle him to start dictating who needs to be picked or not and will continue to refrain from doing so. 

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"I don't get involved in selection. We have people that are in charge of selection and I leave it to them," he said.

"Any interference from my side would just be wrong. They obviously looked at the strategy, what was going to work best on the day and picked the XI. 

"At the end of the day, it's the call of the coach and selection panel and I trust them to make the right call in terms of what is going to be the best XI to represent our country." 

That doesn't mean Nkwe isn't conscious of the mental toll that might've taken on Hendricks, who reportedly kept his humour and trademark smile intact throughout the World Cup campaign.

"It's never easy for someone like Reeza, nor any other players who aren't playing regularly for their national team," he said. 

"But I'm sure there will be