How Jason Smith's World Cup selection made his father's 60th birthday even more special

The year 2026 is a year that Jason Smith will never forget. Certainly not only him as an individual, but also his family at home in Cape Town.

The year started with the 31-year-old wearing the Blue jersey of the MI Cape Town team in the Betway SA20, the first time he has represented a team from his home city in years, having moved coasts to Durban for better playing opportunities and career growth. 

His friends and family could comfortably drive to the picturesque Newlands Stadium in Cape Town to watch him play and live his dreams. 

Perhaps the Proteas match against the West Indies in Paarl carried a little more weight, as he represented the country for the first time on home soil, about an hour's drive from Cape Town. 

Now, the explosive batter is with the Proteas squad in Ahmedabad, getting their last preparations for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, his first senior men's ICC event after winning the 2014 Under-19 World Cup with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram and Corbin Bosch. 

However, in his own words, it was his father's birthday last month that felt a little more special. It was a sunny Friday morning in Cape Town, on the 2nd of January, when his father not only celebrated his birthday, but his son's maiden World Cup call-up. 

Smith told the media that he had never seen his father celebrate a moment of his life quite like he did on January 2nd. 

"I think it became more real once we got on the flight to India. At the time, it didn't really kick in when I was selected. I had a lot going on with my Dad's birthday, and it was his 60th," Smith said. 

"The squad was announced on the second, and that is my Dad's birthday. I was at the hotel at the time laying on the physio bed, and I couldn't really believe it.

"I think my Dad spent the evening trying to celebrate that and not his birthday. It made it pretty special for him.

"I don't think I've seen my father enjoy a moment of his life like that. So, it was amazing and special for our family."

Smith is likely to play a pivotal role in South Africa's World Cup campaign, and for someone who got his international debut at 30, his journey is one that not only shows his own perseverance but also that of his family, who supported him through the unique ups and downs of a professional cricketer in South Africa.