Cape Town - New cap Anrich Nortje admitted that he was surprised by his call up to the Proteas one-day international (ODI) squad.

Nortje, who is back in action following an ankle injury, was named in the Proteas squad earlier this week for the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka.

Late last year, the 25-year-old made a massive impact in the inaugural Mzansi Super League for the Cape Town Blitz - taking eight wickets in three games.

His performance saw him snapped up by Jacques Kallis' Kolkata Knight Riders in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

If selected on Sunday, Nortje has the opportunity to make his debut for the Proteas in Johannesburg and is ecstatic at the prospect to don the green and gold.

"It was definitely a surprise, I read a little bit about it in the newspapers that they (Proteas) wanted to have a look at me," Nortje told reporters on Friday in Johannesburg.

"I was injured around the time I read about it, so I never knew what to expect, but I'm very happy and surprised to be in the squad.

"For me, I'm taking it one game at a time... I might be in the World Cup, I might not... I still have the IPL coming up, so there's a lot happening but I don't want to look too far ahead. My plan going forward is when I play, I just want to try and do my best."

The Warriors fast bowler admitted that although he has played more first class cricket (47 games with 162 wickets), he doesn't prefer a specific format.

"I enjoy all formats. I don't want to be seen as a player who performs in one specific format. I enjoy all formats as they come with different challenges and different conditions. Every challenge is great for me," said Nortje, who has played 29 List A games and has taken 44 wickets.

READ: Focus on CWC as Proteas-SL ODI series starts

The Proteas are in desperate need to bounce back following their embarrassing 2-0 Test series defeat to the visitors. 

"I think they're a good unit and they showed in the Test series that they can hit a ball. They're not afraid of coming out and playing aggressively‚" Nortje said of the Sri Lankan attack.

The first ODI gets under way at the Wanderers on Sunday at 10:00.

Squads:

South Africa

Faf du Plessis (captain), Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen

Sri Lanka

Lasith Malinga (captain), Niroshan Dickwella (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Akila Dananjaya, Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Vishwa Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Perera, Kusal Perera, Priyamal Perera, Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Upul Tharanga, Isuru Udana