Bafana Bafana striker Lars Veldwijk admits that he is beginning to enjoy life in the national team set-up ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations opener on Monday.

The Sparta Rotterdam striker looked in fine form for South Africa during their practice game played between two Bafana sides in which he bagged a hat-trick.

Stuart Baxter’s men will open their Afcon account against Ivory Coast on 24 June and take on Namibia four days later before finishing the group-stage matches against Morocco on 1 July.

‘I am adjusting to the Bafana Bafana life; yes, it is a different culture from Holland but I am really beginning to like it – it is getting better and better,’ Veldwijk told Safa.

‘I first came in this set-up two years ago and have been part of this family now and cannot keep saying I am still adjusting to African style. I, however, feel I can still get better and the guys need to know me more.’

Veldwijk added that their preparations in Egypt was to fine-tune certain aspects before their first game, and that he believes this Bafana team has what it takes to go all the way in the tournament.

‘We have had good preparations so far – in Johannesburg, Dubai and now here. We had a good practice match among ourselves on Wednesday and it was nice for me to score some goals. For me it is only to prove to the coach that I am ready and hopefully I showed him enough,’ he added.

‘On whether I start or not, it is not up to me but to the coach but mine is just to show the coach what I can do and I am happy that I am making a positive contribution.

‘It is now up to the coach on who will play but I think we have lots of quality in the team and all the 23 players are ready for it.’