Temba Bavuma says the Proteas have had to accept CSA’s decision to scrap their three-match ODI series in Australia next January.

The Proteas players will instead take part in South Africa’s new T20 franchise league.

As a result, South Africa will forfeit the ODI series and all 30 Super League points to Australia. With only two Super League series to come – against India (away) and England (home) – the Proteas face the prospect of having to qualify for the 2023 World Cup via a 10-team tournament in Zimbabwe in June/July next year.

“At the end of the day, all we could really do as players was to accept the decision that had been made,” Bavuma told Sport24.

“Part of that acceptance was understanding why the decision was made and that it was in the best interests of South African cricket. Financially, things haven’t been in the best position for South African cricket, so to again be in a position to host a big, successful T20 competition on our shores is a big imperative.

“Down the line is when we’ll really start to see the benefits of the call.”

Bavuma, who is recovering from an elbow injury that ruled him out of the England tour, admitted the Proteas would probably have to qualify for the World Cup the long way.

“There is a realistic chance we could see ourselves playing qualifiers in Zimbabwe. If that’s the route we have to take as a team, that’s the route we’ll have to take. We’ll just have to deal with it as well as we can.

“It was a level of acceptance. I think that’s probably the best way to sum it up.”