Coach Russell Domingo is hopeful that Chris Morris can fill the role Shaun Pollock and Lance Klusener did for South Africa years ago.

Morris made an overall impressive debut in the second Test against England at Newlands. He took two brilliant slip catches, scored 69 with the bat and bowled well in England’s second innings.

He adds a nice balance to side coming in at No 8 and Domingo admitted they are looking at him as a possible long-term solution to a problem South Africa have had for years.

‘Absolutely [did Morris meet his expectations at No 8],’ said Domingo. ‘We’ve always spoken of our vulnerability of our lower order; not through their fault but our best bowlers are generally just bowlers and not all-rounders. We are not as blessed with all-rounders as we maybe were in the past. Chris Morris is definitely someone that we’re looking at to fulfil that type of role that a Shaun Pollock or a Lance Klusener used to do in the past.

‘A guy who can bowl really well and offer us something with the bat. I was very pleased with his batting performance; with his bowling as well. I thought his first spell on the first day was really good. He bowled outstandingly in the second innings, so there is a lot to be excited about with Chris Morris. Good package in the field, took some outstanding catches so for a debutant you can’t be too disappointed with that performance.’

Quinton de Kock was disappointing with the bat and failed to read the match situation well enough, but Domingo said people shouldn’t be too hard on him.

‘I’m hoping, if he doesn’t score runs in the next Test, everyone doesn’t call for him to be dropped, because that is what happens – everybody shouts for him to be in, he doesn’t get a score for one or two innings and everybody calls for him to be dropped.

‘He’s a youngster, I think he’s only played four Tests [seven]. He kept really well and like I’ve said before, there is a big difference between domestic cricket and international cricket. He’s going to have to learn to play the situations well because that No 7 position is crucial batting with the lower order. He’s still young, he’s going to make mistakes and you have to allow him to make those mistakes as long as he learns from it.’