When Somerset colt Saleem Mukuddem steps out onto Wellington Oval tomorrow morning he will become the first ever South African to play in the Cup Match classic.

Mukuddem cemented his place in local cricket history after demonstrating an impressive all-round performance at Somerset Cricket Club during the final trial last Saturday.

The Western Stars all-rounder stroked an unbeaten 46, grabbed one wicket and executed a smartly taken catch.

It was seemingly just what the Somerset selectors were looking for.

"First of all I'm very glad to have been picked to play and partake in this historical, traditional game," Mukuddem said with a smile.

"I just hope that I can enjoy myself because I know that Bermudian crowds are extremely hostile, and so my aim is to go out there and have fun."

Mukuddem said he had felt no added pressure heading into last Saturday's all-important game.

"To be perfectly honest, knowing the game of cricket, you can't just base your cricket on one game," he said. "It was my opinion that maybe there were two or three spots that were open. I just wanted to have a solid game, like I try to do every game, score runs, take wickets and field well.

"It was a bit different for me because it was about individual performances as opposed to a team effort. Like week in and week out I play for Stars and we have a game plan and work as a team. But Saturday was all about individualism because people knew they had to impress the selectors."

Reflecting upon his season so far, Mukuddem added: "I've had some solid games and have been able to rise to the occasion when the moment demanded it, and I know Cup Match will be one game which will be more mental than ability."

Admitting he could be nervous when the big day arrives, Mukuddem said he hoped his team would field first.

"I think it would be easier because as a bowler you have ten team-mates to help you out in the field where as when you are batting you are all by yourself. So, hopefully, we can field first and slowly I can get introduced to the atmosphere, and then when the time comes to actually bat I will have already have absorbed some of the flavour."

Another colt set to venture into unfamiliar terrain is Mukuddem's Stars' team-mate Jermaine Postlethwaite who is a great, great nephew of legendary former Somerset Cup Match skipper, Alma (Champ) Hunt.

"Obviously it's going to be a big challenge and a big day. But I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge," he said.

"They (nerves) haven't really hit me yet, but I'm sure they'll come. But it's a good thing to get nerves because if I didn't then that's when I would really become a bit worried.

"I guess you can kind of feed on that adrenaline and make it work to your advantage."