Rilee Rossouw says it was “special” for him to perform for the Proteas against England in Cardiff on Thursday.

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Rossouw returned to the Proteas set-up for this series after a six-year absence and made just four in the first T20I in Bristol. However, he more than justified his selection with an unbeaten 96 off 55 balls in the second clash, which South Africa won by 58 runs to level the series.

“This was special,” the 32-year-old said. “I’m really grateful for 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.

“Representing your country is the proudest role you can fulfil,” he added. “For me, today was a very emotional day. So I’m very happy.”

Rossouw came into this series on the back of an outstanding T20 Blast campaign for Somerset, in which he scored 623 runs (the second-most in the tournament) at an average of 47.92 and a strike rate of 192.

“I guess facing this England attack felt a bit normal because I’ve played so much against them in county cricket,” he said with a laugh.

“I love England, I love playing in English conditions. You can’t take the experience of these conditions for granted. If you get used to all sorts of different wickets, it’s only beneficial.

“This Cardiff wicket was definitely more generous for an international game. In county cricket the wicket is a bit up-and-down, I think the average T20 score here is 140. So playing on a good wicket in a place that you do know definitely helps.

“Things didn’t go my way in the first T20 and I suspect I may have been a tad overconfident based on the runs I scored in the season,” Rossouw admitted.

“I had to take my time today and I had to bat a little bit more sensibly. Once I found the pace of the wicket, it became easier and I found the confidence mode.

“Reeza [Hendricks, who made 53] also played well, but there were no three figures and I really wanted them badly, but Chris Jordan bowled an exceptional last over.”

When asked if he’d improved as a player since leaving South Africa in 2016 to take up a Kolpak contract with Hampshire, Rossouw said: “I’d like to believe so. I got six years of experience around the world. International cricket remains the pinnacle, but I definitely believe I’m a better player than I was.”

The T20I series decider will take place in Southampton on Sunday (3:30pm SA time).

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