The fact that Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram have been entrusted with leadership positions for next month's SA A tour of India is a significant indicator of SA cricket's direction after the World Cup.
Bavuma (29) and Markram (24), both established Test players, will captain the limited overs and the four-day squads for their A tour starting on August 24 and ending on September 21.
The national team's three-Test, three-ODI and three-match T20 tour starts on September 15.
Current selection convenor Linda Zondi, whose contract ends after the World Cup, said the acclimatising and the blooding of these two players is crucial.
SA's spin struggles have been laid bare in their most recent subcontinent tours of India and Sri Lanka. Markram scored 40 runs at an average of 10 in Sri Lanka and Bavuma made 93 runs at an average of 23.25.
Bavuma scored 56 runs in the one Test he played against India on the 2015/16 tour.
Across 11 innings in the tours, only Theunis de Bruyn scored a 100.
"We've sent Markram there to prepare specifically for the main series while we need Temba to get to grips with the white ball captaincy. We need to see them as captains for the future and also they need to familiarise themselves with the conditions and have their leadership skills tested," Zondi said.
"India's A team is a strong side and these two will be part of the leadership group that needs to be groomed. They need to be better prepared and feel they're at the top of their game."
With current all-format captain Faf du Plessis turning 35 on Saturday, his longevity will be questioned even though his desire remains unquenched.
The next International Cricket Council engagement is next year's Australia-hosted T20 World Cup but Zondi said plans have to be in place for the India-hosted 2023 Cricket World Cup.
"Faf made it clear he wants to stick around but when he's gone, are we going to have different captains for the formats? Before we even get to that stage, we need to have people to choose from. These two are part of the plan and they need to be looked at and this should happen as soon as possible while Faf is around," Zondi said.
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