Head coach Shukri Conrad has praised the leadership prowess of South Africa A captain Tony de Zorzi.
De Zorzi, who debuted in Test and ODI cricket this year, is captaining South Africa A during the ongoing tour of Sri Lanka.
“Tony, for me, is a natural-born leader,” Conrad, who is Test and South Africa A coach, told IOL.
“For starters, he makes the team as a good player. He played in the Test side and did well. So, for me it is about giving him opportunities.
“From a leadership point of view, his leadership in the past speaks for itself. He has captained the SA Under-19 team and then the Western Province team a little bit.
“I think he is naturally one of those guys leadership sits well with. He’s very good tactically, but has a lot to learn still.
“For me, captaincy for the national side is of most importance and that’s what I see in Tony maybe in the future.”
South Africa A won last week’s limited-overs series opener against Sri Lanka A – and lost the second this week. They will soon meet for the limited-overs series decider in Pallekele before travelling to Hambantota for two four-day fixtures.
“Ultimately the boys will play the way they know, and they will do what has gotten them here and then we’ll take it from there,” added Conrad.
“If the conditions allow, I think we will play an aggressive brand of one-day cricket for starters and then similarly with the four-day stuff.”