Rilee raves over 'emotional' Proteas return: 'Still the proudest thing you can do'

Rilee Rossouw and South African cricket's relationship is rapidly on the mend as he raved over a "special" night where the Proteas levelled the T20 series against England with an excellent 58-run victory on Thursday in Cardiff.

The 32-year-old left-hander played a starring role in the performance with a magnificent, unbeaten 96 off just 55 deliveries that went a long way towards justifying his recall after a near six-year absence.

Indeed, Rossouw's sentiments are actually quite poignant given how he controversially called halt to his international career by opting for a Kolpak contract with Hampshire back in early 2017.

"This was special," he said.

"I'm really grateful from where I am right now. To put up a performance like that for your country is really special. Hopefully there are a few more in the pipeline."

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Rossouw also calmly batted back at suggestion that his selection amounted to a "free shot", a quintessential best-of-both-worlds scenario where he first turned his back on his country and then made a U-turn once Brexit nullified Kolpak agreements.

However, that line of thinking ignores the fact that he did avail himself to the Knights again last season in between his T20 commitments.

"I really don't think that's the case," said Rossouw.

"After Brexit, I really put in some good performances in the T20 leagues I participated in and the national team's setup has backed me and selected me in this role.

"Representing your country is the proudest role you can fulfil. For me, today was a very emotional day. So I'm very happy."

Fresh off a superb T20 Blast campaign with English county Somerset, where he scored 623 runs at a strike rate of 192,