Jonty Rhodes is in the starring role in a set of 15 stamps featuring South African cricketers issued by the Post Office in support of the 2003 World Cup to be staged in South Africa.

The stamps, which will be on sale this week, feature South Africa's best-loved one-day cricketer together with 15 members of the current national squad. A full sheet of the R1,40 stamps will cost R21 and they will be available at post offices.

Rhodes' part in the promotion is combined with a Post Office drive to celebrate South African sports stars from 1994 to 2000. In all 10 sportsmen and women have been honoured including footballer Lucas Radebe, golfer Penny Heyns, golfer Ernie Else and 1995 Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar.

"This is a unique concept for the promotion of South African sporting icons through stamps," said Ali Bacher, executive director of Cricket World Cup 2003. "We would like to congratulate the Post Office on their initiative in launching this project. This is also our first national campaign to give exposure to the 2003 World Cup. We are certain that Jonty Rhodes is proud to be associated with this endeavour."

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