- Rushine de Reuck says that finally being in the Bafana Bafana camp is a "dream come true".
- The 24-year-old is the reigning PSL Defender of the Season after outstanding performances for Maritzburg United.
- The defender hopes to be selected in Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki's starting XI on Friday and Monday.
In his first call-up to the national team, the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League Defender of Season Rushine de Reuck admits that wearing the Bafana Bafana colours is a dream come true.
"It is a dream come true. It was always my goal to play in the national team,” De Reuck told the media ahead on Wednesday ahead of Bafana Bafana's back-to-back 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.
"There is no better feeling to be here … getting defender of the season was very special for me but a call-up is even more special."
He continued: "It's my first call-up. I am still adapting. I just want to learn as much as I can from the guys who are older than me.
"I know my capabilities and potential, if I can get a chance, I just want to contribute work hard and obviously focus on the two games coming up now."
The 24-year-old was outstanding for club Maritzburg United last season which saw him receive many plaudits from pundits and fans across the country.
However, he does not want to take all the credit as he highlights some of the older and experienced players at United has helped him adapt to the demands of playing in South Africa’s top-flight league.
"The most important thing for me is to be consistent. I don't really play for individual awards; I just feel like last season the team has helped me a lot so I must give credit to them," he said.
"I just go out there to help the team win. I am lucky enough to be singled out. I just want to continue doing well. I don’t really look at individual awards, but I am obviously very grateful that I got the awards and people are looking at me in that light."
South Africa's first match takes place on Friday 13 November (kick-off is at 21:00) at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, while the second encounter is scheduled for Monday 16 November (15:00) at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
