Anrich Nortje believes the past two months have provided him with the “ideal build-up” to force his way back into South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad, which is set to be announced next week. The express fast bowler made a sensational start to SA20 Season 4, ripping through Paarl Royals with career-best T20 figures of 4/13 to bowl them out for a tournament-record low of 49, signalling his return to peak form after a nightmare run with injuries.

“The ideal build-up” after 18 months of injury hell

Nortje’s back issues forced him to miss the second and third editions of the SA20, while injuries have restricted him to just two international appearances over the past 18 months. He also missed the 2023 ODI World Cup and the 2025 Champions Trophy, making his return to competitive cricket all the more significant.

Speaking after Sunrisers Eastern Cape’s emphatic win in Paarl, Nortje reflected on his journey back to fitness and form.

“Hopefully I get selected, but for now it’s just to try and build, take it game by game and day by day. I had a nice little buildup starting with the CSA T20 Challenge and then got the call-up for the India series. I’d call it the ideal build-up. From here on, it’s just to try and execute and work on one or two things. It’s also so busy, so it’s just to try and keep the momentum going, keep a clear head, and keep focus. I’d probably call it the ideal build-up just from where I was a few months ago to now,” Nortje told ESPNCricinfo.

Signs of progress before SA20 surge

Even before his explosive SA20 performance, Nortje had shown encouraging signs. He finished joint fourth on the wicket-taking list in the CSA T20 Challenge and featured in two matches during South Africa’s recent T20I series in India, where his pace and control steadily improved despite going wicketless.

In Paarl, however, he looked back to his menacing best. Nortje used the short ball effectively on a slow, uneven surface and displayed his full repertoire of skills—pace, aggression, accuracy, and smart variations—to dismantle the Royals’ batting lineup.

The spell marked his best T20 returns since the 2024 T20 World Cup, underlining his value as a match-winner in the shortest format.

Trusting the body despite heavy workload ahead

The SA20 schedule will test Nortje’s durability, with the possibility of playing five matches in 10 days early in the tournament and as many as 13 in a month if Sunrisers Eastern Cape reach the playoffs. Given his recent injury history, the workload could be a concern—but Nortje insists he is not preoccupied by what might go wrong.

“You’ve got to trust your body, and you can’t worry about this or that. I don’t think it’s something I ever don’t trust,” he said. “When something’s wrong, then it’s probably too late, but, in general, you have to trust your body… When I’m out injured, I’m just motivated to get back better and build on what I can remember.”

Open to Test and ODI return

Despite opting out of a central contract with Cricket South Africa, Nortje remains available for national selection across all formats. While his immediate focus is on the T20 World Cup, he has not ruled out a return to Tests and ODIs, formats in which he has not played since early 2023 and over two years ago respectively.

“It’s well known I was going to play last year against Pakistan in the Test matches as well, so I’m definitely still open to the idea. It’s definitely not out of the picture. I would love to play Tests again as it’s been a very long time, but only time will tell,” he stated.

Busy few months ahead

For now, Nortje’s focus remains firmly on the shortest format. With the SA20, the T20 World Cup starting in February, and a return to the IPL with Lucknow Super Giants, the next few months will be crucial in determining whether he can sustain his fitness and form at the highest level.

If his opening SA20 performance is anything to go by, “The Uitenhage Express” is back on track—and South Africa will be hoping he stays there.