Gary Kirsten has joined the list of experts with success over Australia to be tapped for knowledge by the South Africa coach Mickey Arthur, who starts a three-Test series against the world champions on December 17. Kirsten, the India coach who guided the 2-0 win over Australia in November, is part of a small group of men Arthur has spoken to that includes Duncan Fletcher, who lifted the Ashes with England in 2005, and Jake White, the 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning mentor.

Fletcher is now a consultant with the team after Arthur’s plan to have John Buchanan as an advisor failed because of the previous Australia coach’s links with the Kolkata Knight Riders. "I have had a chat with Gary … and he reinforced that our ideas were right," Arthur said in the Sydney Morning Herald.

"And Fletch, after just his first six days with us, has already convinced me that we made a very good decision in bringing him into the group. We have been looking to speak to anyone who has enjoyed success over the Australians, and Fletch has provided us with some very interesting ideas."