Watching Graeme Hick batting again on New Zealand soil brought back memories of him plundering runs in the name of Northern Districts.
It was about 15 years ago, when Hick - then in his early 20s and born in Zimbabwe - spent a couple of seasons here while he was waiting to qualify to play for England, and for what was supposed to be a glorious test career.
It was a great time, following ND around, because players of Hick's class are few and far between. A vivid memory is of watching him through binoculars playing what seemed to be defensive strokes, hearing the applause of the crowd, then lifting the glasses to see the ball crossing the boundary rope.
There were suggestions that Hick would struggle with top-quality fast bowling but such was the majesty of his game that these were merely whispers at the time.
As it turned out, Hick's uncertainty against the quicks turned him into just another test cricketer.
He was also a reminder of the many difficulties that sport in Africa faces, in this case the inability to retain talent.
As Hick was turning out for the World XI on Saturday, an 18-year-old of South African heritage was making his first-class cricket debut for Auckland.
Carl Cachopa is one of many young South African sports people making a name in this country.
They are in a very different category to that of say Irene van Dyk, who plays netball for New Zealand. Her instant recruitment was a reminder that international netball is a bit of a joke.
Surely if New Zealand and the international netball body had any real interest in developing their game, and what was fair, van Dyk would have remained a South African player.
But let's move on. It is the wave of South African immigration that might have the more interesting long-term effect on New Zealand sport.
There are estimates of 20,000 people from South Africa - a country that breeds tough and talented sports people - having come to this country in the past decade or so.
One South African author has described the outward flow to New Zealand, Australia and Canada etc as creating a "lost sports generation".
Some South African migrants such as triathlete Terenzo Bozzone and swimmer Corney Swanepoel have already made a significant mark here.
Surnames like Venter, Gers and Lamprecht - along with less obvious South African names - turn up in all manner of junior representative teams.
North Harbour is a stronghold of South Africans, and their kids are making their mark in sports like cricket.
"When will a South African play for the All Blacks?" someone queried at work a year or so ago. After all, Clyde Rathbone and Dan Vickerman have made it as Wallabies, and South Africans play for a range of European rugby nations.
At the moment, the closest South African All Black might be Harbour and Blues lock Greg Rawlinson, who was unheralded when he arrived to initially play for Bay of Plenty. Time will tell, and he's a longshot right now.
South African sports followers have already noted the impression made by youngsters such as George Farmer from North Harbour.
Somewhere in these junior rugby ranks must surely lie South African-born and raised stars of the future.
Africa's troubles are New Zealand's gains, and newcomers are often fired by a determination to prove themselves.
The best answer to the colleague's question about a South African All Black is that it is almost certainly a case of when, and not if. And then, how many.
* * *
All power to the cricket bosses - and those of other sports - who arrange matches to benefit the tsunami victims. Sport has an important function here, not only to raise money but because it has the rare ability to keep the disaster in the public eye.
I'll admit to unease over the Government's role in the cricket, donating money for sixes hit etc.
Sounds like a great PR trick. I would have thought our official support might have been on slightly firmer ground than relying on Stephen Fleming's batting form. Should the Government really be involved in a Russian Roulette Aid effort?
But congratulations to the organisers, players and fans who supported the game.
Highs and Lows
* High
Stephen Fleming. He had one of those days where all the elements - with supreme talent crucial - come together in a wondrous mix. Charity match or no charity match.
* Low
Let's pick on the basketball Breakers again, with their playoff hopes apparently gone. The management cries, "We know what we're doing". The rest of us cry team foul.
<EM>48 hours:</EM> African imports deliver talent windfall for NZ
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