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Cape Town - Surprise Bafana Bafana call-up, Lars Veldwijk, admits he is looking forward to making his international debut but it remains to be seen whether he'll crack the nod in coach Shakes Mashaba's starting XI.
South Africa's senior national team arrived in Polokwane on Monday and all eyes were on the 1.97m striker, who hails from the Netherlands.
Veldwijk is Mashaba's most out-of-the-blue call-up yet as Bafana prepare for an important clash against Senegal. The 2018 Soccer World Cup qualifier is scheduled for the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday (15:00 kick-off).
"Everyone wants to go to Russia 2018 World Cup. That is every player’s dream to play at the highest level and they don’t come bigger than the World Cup," said the striker, as quoted by KickOff.
The 25-year-old, who qualifies for South African citizenship through his father, confirmed that his family will also make the trip from Europe to Polokwane in hope that he gets a taste of international football.
"I have been well received here, the people are fantastic. They have welcomed me and my new team-mates are terrific. There has been positive energy all round and I am so excited to be here," he added.
"The only minor setback has been the blazing heat but that is why we came here earlier. By Saturday we have adjusted and should be fine."
Mashaba's 25-man squad has seen the likes of veterans Daine Klate and Eleazar Rodgers (both 31-years-old) brought back into national setup with the latter starting in Bafana's last outing against Burkina Faso and Ghana. South Africa failed to win either of those encounters with both fixtures ending in 1-all draws.
One can only expect Mashaba to play it safe and not rush Veldwijk in hope of the striker netting goals for South Africa, despite the call-up sounding somewhat desperate.
The South Africans have always struggled in front of goal but with new ammunition, can Mashaba entrust the striker to lead Bafana's woeful attack?
