At around this time last year KwaZulu-Natal's Mark Bruyns was in the Caribbean with the South African A team. With Herschelle Gibbs serving a six-month ban from Test cricket Bruyns was unquestionably in the frame when it came to finding a partner for Gary Kirsten in the South African Test team. One year later, however, Bruyns finds himself in East London and looking towards a new future with the Border Bears.

Despite scoring 126 in the second "Test" against the West Indies A side in Guyana, Bruyns found himself becoming surplus to requirements in his home province, squeezed out of the one-day team towards the end of last season.

"I was ready for a move, I guess," Bruyns told the South African Press Association. "I had just returned from a successful tour of the West Indies with South Africa A but found myself dropped for limited-overs matches for Natal. I couldn't understand it. I now have to provide stability at the top of the order for Border."

Bruyns will link up with new coach Alan Mansell in East London as Border try to shrug off the bridesmaid tag that has attached itself to the Buffalo Park team. Border have reached the last three SuperSport finals – and finished as runners up on each occasion.

© CricInfo