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Cape Town - Proteas captain Faf du Plessis hopes that his side's 5-0 thrashing of Australia in the recently completed ODI series will help cynical members of the public view transformation in a new light.
Cricket South Africa announced at the beginning of September that they had set official transformation targets for the national side.
The targets require the national team to play an average minimum of 54% black players and average minimum of 18% black african players in all formats over the course of the season.
The decision was welcomed by most, but some were worried that the targets would negatively impact on the performance of the Proteas.
As it turns out, South African cricket has done just fine.
The emergence of Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi and (against Ireland) Temba Bavuma has given the ODI squad extra depth.
More importantly, there was not one player of colour who emerged from the series against Australia with any doubts hovering over his ability or the merits of his selection.
Phehlukwayo, in particular, was a breath of fresh air as he used his opportunity to suggest that he belongs at this level.
He is still young (20), and will surely have tougher tests, but he has gotten over the first hurdle.
Du Plessis, speaking after Wednesday's 32-run win in the fifth and final ODI at Newlands, gave some insight into the Proteas' approach to the targets.
"I think people will relax now and see that it's not that bad," said Du Plessis.
"I think, from the public's point of view, people were expecting big changes and big series defeats. People can relax now and see that there is enough talent in South Africa no matter what colour you are.
"There's been some great performances this series from everyone. I think our cricket is in a healthy state so people can be confident that even with those targets we are a force to be reckoned with."
Du Plessis added that the transparency in terms of what the targets were left everybody involved in a better space.
"Certainly for us as a team, we don't see it as a negative. We always try and embrace it," he said.
"For me, the positive thing is that it's open and there's an honest policy now out there.
"Everyone knows what it's all about and everyone can buy into it. I think that as long as you're open and honest about everything that you're trying to do, you can move forward."
