An outright, obvious replacement for Dale Steyn he is not, but Beuran Hendricks is perhaps a blessing in disguise.

What was probable in late April became inevitable through May – and was never really going to be avoided through early June.

South Africa need to examine why Dale Steyn was named in the original 15-man squad.

The decision to take Steyn to the United Kingdom, despite the injury sustained during the Indian Premier League suggests desperation.

Steyn was the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s late replacement for the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile, who ironically has since recovered to become an integral member of Australia’s World Cup squad.

Steyn should not have accepted the invite from Bangalore. The timing, just over a month before the global showpiece in England, was not appropriate.

Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi’s withdrawal from the IPL was a foreshadowing of sorts that South Africa would encounter other problems specific to the bowlers prior to the World Cup. Nortje didn’t recover in time, Ngidi is sidelined again – and Kagiso Rabada is fighting a near lone battle among the fast bowlers.

Defeats to England and especially Bangladesh have since confirmed a glaring lack of bowling firepower. Steyn’s return would have supplemented this, but Tuesday’s tournament exit leaves the Proteas’ with a larger predicament.

Beuran Hendricks has been named as a replacement, but probably won’t bring what is required. The left-arm seamer will add variation to the attack, but won’t demand a berth in the XI. He was a late addition to the Mumbai Indians’ 2019 IPL campaign, but didn’t play a match. He is a good utility player, but specialists are required to drag the Proteas back from a torrid start to the World Cup.

Pakistani pair Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Amir are fine examples of what can be achieved by left-armers in the United Kingdom. They were outstanding in Monday’s victory over England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. Riaz and Amir were also late inclusions for the World Cup – and hopefully Hendricks can follow the lead.

Hendricks was a key member of the Jozi Stars’ title-winning Mzansi Super League campaign late last year – and four months later won the CSA T20 Challenge with the Lions. Mumbai, of course, won the 2019 IPL. Hendricks, then, boasts three titles in the past six months – and might be the stimulant an otherwise deflated Proteas squad requires.

He doesn’t really have the pace to trifle with short deliveries, which have been a productive weapon in the World Cup so far, but is familiar with the wide and toe-line yorkers required in the closing throes of an innings.

Hendricks is no Steyn, but he may just represent a blessing in disguise.

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