Recently-appointed batting coach Lance Klusener is determine to help the Proteas restore passion and pride.

Klusener has been hired as one of three assistant coaches for September and October’s tour of India, where the Proteas will play three T20Is and as many Tests.

He was the head coach of the Brampton Wolves in the 2019 edition of the Global T20 Canada. He was due to work with the Glasgow Giants in the Euro T20 Slam later this month. The tournament, however, has been postponed. He also coached Zimbabwe and the Dolphins – and worked with the Proteas previously.

‘From the outside and what I’ve seen, I just don’t necessarily see that passion to play for South Africa anymore. That’s something that the coaches will need to tackle and have a look at,’ Klusener told Sport24.

‘That’s just what it looked like. I haven’t been in the system and I’m sure the guys were trying, but it just didn’t look like it should. I think finding that passion of playing for your country again is half the battle.

‘There is no other option  – we have to get things right. The talent is all there.’

South Africa are without the veteran Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, who retired from Test cricket in the past 18 months. Steyn, though, remains available for T20I and ODI selection.

Fast bowlers Kyle Abbott and Duanne Olivier, meanwhile, continue to forge successful careers in English county cricket after forgoing Cricket South Africa contracts.

‘You don’t just replace Dale Steyn, Amla or AB – it takes years to replace those guys. Those quality players leave huge gaps, so it is a challenge,’ added Klusener.

‘Those players have also kept other players out of the team and some of those players are now on Kolpaks and playing overseas so we don’t have that experience to draw on. If you take where South African cricket is now, it will take a long time.’

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