Bidvest Wits striker Eleazar Rodgers admits that he was surprised to receive another call-up to the Bafana Bafana’s setup.

The 31-year-old striker has been in good form of late as he netted in his side’s dominant victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 final this past Saturday.

The forward, who had previously been called into the Bafana squad back in 2008 and 2012, will now take his place in the side primed to face Burkina Faso and Ghana.

‘Yes, it [my call-up to Bafana] definitely came as a surprise but, to be honest, I always felt that I would eventually have another opportunity,’ the striker admitted, reports KickOff.

‘I’ve been here two times before and I was hoping for a third time, and it came very quickly now – as I said it was a surprise – but I believe everything happens for a good reason so I’m grateful for the opportunity.’

Rodgers last turned out for the side under the reign of Joel Santana when the national team took on Malawi back in 2008 and Rodgers knows he will have to work hard to earn an appearance with the team.

‘I’m sure the coach has his plans on how he wants to go about things so it’s just for me to – if I get the opportunity – play my part and help the team do what is needed on the day,’ he concluded.

South Africa take on Burkina Faso at the Stade du 4 aout on October 8.

The action gets underway at 18:00.