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Cape Town - Bafana Bafana striker Lars Veldwijk says that he is beginning to enjoy life in the national team set-up and is ready to take his place in the starting XI if selected.
The imposing striker scored a dazzling hat-trick in a practice game played between two Bafana Bafana sides after Angola cancelled the proposed friendly scheduled for Wednesday.
That sparkling form must have given coach Stuart Baxter some headache on who to start up front in Monday’s opener against Ivory Coast.
"I am adjusting to the Bafana Bafana life; yes, it is a different culture from Holland, but I am really beginning to like it; it is getting better and better,” he said as quoted by the SAFA website.
"I first came in this set-up two years ago and have been part of this family now and cannot keep saying I am still adjusting to African style.
"I, however, feel I can still get better, and the guys need to know me more."
The 27-year-old believes that South Africa has what it takes to do well at AFCON adding that the three weeks the team has been in camp, has been wonderful.
"We have had good preparations so far - in Johannesburg, Dubai and now here," he said with a smile.
"We had a good practice match among ourselves on Wednesday and it was nice for me to score some goals,” he said with a smile.
"For me, it is only to prove to the coach that I am ready and hopefully I showed him enough."
"On whether I start or not, it is not up to me but to the coach but mine is just to show the coach what I can do and I am happy that I am making a positive contribution."
He added: "It is now up to the coach on who will play but I think we have lots of quality in the team and all the 23 players are ready for it."
After taking on the Ivorians, Bafana Bafana will hope to get a result against neighbours Namibia on Friday, June 28.
They then round off their group stage matches with a clash against Morocco on Monday, July 1.
