Coaching South Africa would be a huge honour: Kirsten

Set to be appointed as South African cricket team's next coach on Monday, Gary Kirsten said it would be a masssive honour after representing the national team with distinction for a decade.

Kirsten, 43, played in 101 Tests and 185 ODIS for the Proteas in a career spanning a decade.

"I would love to coach the South African team - it's my people. It will be a natural progression," Kirsten said. "I'd consider it a massive honour," the former left-handed batsman, who guided India to a World Cup triumph in the sub-continent two months ago, said.

According to the 'Beeld', Kirsten would be appointed as Coorie Van Zyl's replacement, with AB de Villiers likely to be named captain in all three forms of the game in a meeting on Monday, when Cricket South Africa is expected to make a slew of announcements.

As far as CSA is concerned, its only consideration is whether Kirsten will be able to juggle his family life with the demands of being a full-time national coach. Come November, Kirsten will be awaiting the birth of his third child and that was the reason he was initially reluctant to coach South Africa.

Also in the running for the job is former Pakistan coach Richard Pybus, but Kirsten's record as an international player and his highly successful stint with India, gives him the edge.

Under Kirsten's guidance India rose to become the number one Test team in the world, besides winning the World Cup. Meanwhile former South Africa pacer Allan Donald, who is likely to be named as the side's bowling coach, said he has spoken to Kirsten but will comment on Monday.