Aaron Phangiso passionate about developing next black cricketers

Phangiso was speaking on the sidelines of the recent Toyana Cup, where he turned out for the Soweto Pioneers and helped them win the inaugural mini-tournament.  

He says the new generation of players must not go through the same struggles they did, where they had to find their own way to the top of the game. 

"It's important for these young boys to rub shoulders with your Lesego Senokwane, Grant Mokoena, Geoff [Toyana], who we are honouring," said Phangiso.

"Because, if you look at history, history did not give your Aaron Phangisos these kinds of opportunities, I had to grow up and find my feet, find his way in terms of how am I going to make it in cricket.

"So these boys, at least rubbing shoulders with guys like Phangiso and Geoff, it just gives – as you said, it's inspiring."

READ: Toyana pays tribute to Rassie van der Dussen

Phangiso believes the difference between young black players and their white counterparts is that the latter are exposed to star power at a young age.  

He says white teenagers spend time with franchise and international players early enough, while those in the townships have to draw inspiration from far away.  

"It makes such a massive difference because guys like – let me just mention names, I'm not making it about black or white, or whatever, but the young white counterparts grow up attending such events," he added.

"Those guys probably had the likes of Fannie de Villiers, they've seen and been around guys like AB de Villiers, Dwayne Pretorious, there's no better inspiration than to see those guys that have made it and rub shoulders with them.

"A lot of black cricketers don't get that, I think this is one of the first times where I see an event like this that allows an opportunity for a young man to rub shoulders with the greats."