Shane Bond and Alfonso Thomas are among our leading candidates to replace Allan Donald as South Africa’s bowling coach.

1. Shane Bond enjoyed a relatively successful tenure as New Zealand’s bowling coach, but resigned after the World Cup – and has since joined the Mumbai Indians coaching staff in the Indian Premier League. Bond, largely responsible for the successful tempering of Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Adam Milne and more, could be tempted to join the Proteas.

2. David Saker‘s five-year stint as England’s bowling coach met an abrupt end earlier this year. He secured employment as the Melbourne Renegades’ ahead of 2015-16 Big Bash League shortly after. Australia’s premier Twenty20 contest will only start toward the end of the year, so wouldn’t necessarily conflict with the Proteas’ home fixtures against New Zealand or tour of Bangladesh.

3. Alfonso Thomas is a veritable playing and coaching journeyman. Currently working with the Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, the bowling mentor could be swayed by an enjoyable working relationship with Gary Kirsten, Quinton de Kock, Albie Morkel, Imran Tahir and JP Duminy, who are also part of the Delhi outfit. He’d probably have to forsake a lucrative contract with Somerset, though.

4. Johann Louw embodies loyalty and servanthood – and was an under-rated mentor to Vernon Philander, Rory Kleinveldt and others during a solid first-class career, which ended with the Cobras a couple of seasons ago. Burgeoning business ventures and a coaching role at a leading cricket school in the Western Cape, however, might prove a deterrent.

5. Charl Langeveldt, groomed from the outset, is the forerunner to replace Donald. He was part of a large bowling coach contingent during the World Cup, but wasn’t able to ensure ultimate success during the delivery of the death overs. Kyle Abbott’s consistent yorker lengths can be attributed, for the most part, to the positive influence of Langeveldt.