But the 31-year-old now has the chance to prove his worth on the grandest stage of all and is intent on making the most of it.
"Just getting the opportunity and the call-up, that's what you work towards," said Kirchner.
"Not a lot of people outside South Africa are backing me. It's one of those things where you have to put everything into yourself and really back yourself and prove your worth, so that's what I'm going out for.
"You definitely hear the voices, but it's something I'm really trying to block. But also it's a lot of fuel for myself; it gives me a lot of energy, keeps me up on my toes, and is really driving me to perform better and go out there and every time that I put on the jersey to make the badge proud."
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