Team analyst Prasanna Agoram has admitted the Proteas will be challenged to effectively replace fast bowler Dale Steyn and batsman Hashim Amla in Test cricket.

Steyn ended a prolific Test career earlier this week, but will remain available for ODI and T20I selection, while Amla has retired from all forms of international cricket.

‘It is always difficult losing players like Amla and Steyn and I don’t think you can replace them easily,’ Agoram told The Hindu.

‘But at the same time, we have some promising players who have been around and the kind of mentoring Steyn has done with these young fast bowlers like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje has been phenomenal.’

The Proteas endured a disappointing 2019 World Cup campaign. They lost Nortje to injury prior to the start – and won just three matches en route to a seventh-place finish in the 10-team tournament.

‘Before the tournament, we lost pacer Nortje and he is someone who can bowl 150 kilometres per hour. Had we had just one of these bowlers fit it would have been different,’ added Agoram.

South Africa will tour India for three T20Is and as many Tests in September and October. Interim team director Enoch Nkwe has temporarily replaced head coach Ottis Gibson, whose tenure has not been renwed.

‘We have some really promising talents with bat and ball, and I won’t be surprised if we are strong right from the series against India,’ concluded Agoram.

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