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Having taken part in SA's heaviest Test defeat against Australia in 2002, Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher understand the depth the Proteas have sunk to.
India may not be fit to lace the boots of Steve Waugh's all-conquering unit, but they're still a formidable outfit.
With a record 11 consecutive unbeaten home series since 2012, they're not to be trifled with in their backyard. Prince isn't about the pressing of panic buttons even though SA's batting struggles have persisted all year.
"India's a tough place to bat and it's always going to be tough in foreign conditions but the subcontinent is different. Fast bowlers operate differently and spinners are aggressive where conditions suit them. I don't think there's a crisis, but SA batsmen have suffered because of the pitches prepared here," Prince said.
"Part of the reason as to why guys aren't scoring the requisite runs is because they're not batting in Test match fashion. Short format cricket means guys want to score quickly, but you have guys like Pieter Malan who've scored lots of runs consistently. Do people still want such players or do they want guys who are perceived as exciting?"
Cape Cobras coach Prince, who played 66 Tests over nine years, said there's Test-class batsmen in the franchise system.
In the drawn Cape Cobras-Titans game in Benoni this week, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne made two tons for the Cobras with Malan already asking questions for the opening berth with a 31st first-class 100. Wesley Marshall and Farhaan Behardien scored 100s for the Titans.
"I work on the ground and I'd like to think I know what it takes to become a Test-class batsman and we have at least 10 batsmen in the country who are Test-class batsmen."
Mark Boucher, who did it all with the Proteas in 147 Tests, said the word "crisis" is a big one to use.
"On paper it doesn't look pretty and that's what everyone is talking about. If you look at our recent domestic seasons, these are the guys who've scored the runs and they're there for a reason. Touring India is difficult, even if you have a stable top order, but losing the toss has been critical," Boucher said.
"It looks all doom and gloom and if you've toured India, you'll understand the challenges, especially if you don't bat first. Crisis is a big word but guys do need to get into form."
Boucher concurred with Prince that there's decent batsmen in the franchise system. For the former wicketkeeper and current Titans coach, it's about those players getting opportunities.
"There are a lot of good batsmen coming through and if you look at the results at franchise level, there are guys who are scoring 100s and that was the case last season. These guys now maybe need to get an opportunity to showcase their skills. The guys in India are good players, but it could be a case of them lacking a bit of form."
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