Former Proteas Fast bowler Hardus Viljoen signed a Kolpak contract with Derbyshire in English county cricket in 2017.

That agreement was terminated earlier this year – and Viljoen has since relished stints in domestic limited-overs competitions around the world.

The past five months have brought stints with the Northern Warriors in the T10 League in Sharjah, Chittagong Vikings in the Bangladesh Premier League, Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League and Kings XI Punjab in the ongoing Indian Premier League.

‘Going Kolpak was a very difficult decision, and to think of it, it is still difficult,’ Viljoen told ESPNcricinfo.

‘My Kolpak contract has ended now. At the end of the day, security in life is very important and you need to support your family.

‘I also had to work on my skills and get to know my game better, and that’s what Derbyshire offered to me: the opportunity to get better. I was very one-dimensional at that stage. I just bowled as quick as I could and didn’t have too many variations.’

The 30-year-old Viljoen is playing alongside Proteas batsman David Miller, franchise captain and Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, and several other stars at the Kings XI Punjab.

‘All credit to Ashwin for Kings XI. He is very clear about what needs to be done and what is expected of you. If you have guys like that backing you, you can’t go wrong,’ he added.

Photo: SPORTZPICS for BCCI | Ron Gaunt