Why the Proteas wore women’s names on their shirts for Pink Day - IOL

Proteas captain Temba Bavuma, Keshav Maharaj and Tristan Stubbs pictured with cancer survivors.

The Proteas took to the Wanderers in more than just pink during their Pink Day clash against Australia on Sunday, with the names of breast cancer fighters and survivors replacing their surnames on the back of their shirts.

The initiative formed part of Cricket South Africa’s annual ‘I Pitch Up in Pink For You’ campaign, which honoured people affected by breast cancer and highlighted the personal stories behind the cause.

Rather than displaying their own surnames, members of the Proteas Men’s squad wore the names of breast cancer fighters and survivors on their playing shirts.

For returning Proteas star Aiden Markram, the fixture carried additional significance as he made his international comeback after last playing for South Africa in the T20 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in March.

Markram wore the name Zeldine Brits, the mother of Proteas Women batter Tazmin Brits, on his shirt.

Veteran batter David Miller also had a deeply personal connection to the initiative, with his mother, Jenny Miller, honoured on his shirt.

The campaign also highlighted that breast cancer does not only affect women. According to Cricket South Africa, one of the shirts celebrated Simon Hewitt, a male breast cancer survivor, with his name appearing on Tristan Stubbs’ shirt.

Pink Day had become an important tradition at the Wanderers, with supporters dressing in pink to show solidarity with people affected by breast cancer.

For the Proteas, the pink shirts represented more than a colour. The initiative was intended to recognise those fighting the disease, survivors and the loved ones who supported them.