Jonty Rhodes was back in India and with a smile on his face. The South African team has given it supporters something to cheer about by winning the one-day series against England. But the former player was worried about the development of South African cricket as long as the quota system continues.
"Australia is the best team in the world because they know what their focus is. Their system is based on excellence, ours is based on transformation.
"Our selection policy too has to change a lot if our team wants to be the best in the world. Chopping and changing the players very frequently have not helped the cause," he said on Tuesday.
The former South African cricketer, in Mumbai to promote African wildlife tourism, said that the selection policies and things happening around cricket have started treating the game itself as just a minor element.
"In South Africa everything off the field is starting to become more important. Ten years ago we were recovering from the effects of apartheid, things have still not changed. The country is healing from the divisions in those times but it will take time," he said.
Rhodes was impressed with his team's performance in the series against England and said that selectors sticking to the same squad had made the difference.
"I am happy not only because South Africa were able to win the one dayers after losing the Test series but also because the selectors stuck to the same side and showed faith in those players.
We had an almost unchanged squad from 1993-1999 and the team spirit was obvious."
One of the best fielders in the world, Rhodes said that his team had also lost the edge in fielding. A number of players have been replaced in the last couple of years and though they cannot be expected to pull through the same performances as their predecessors in batting and bowling, the fielding has also lacked enthusiasm.
"It all stems from players concentrating too hard to keep their place in the side. When you take your individual bad performances in batting or bowling on the field you won't be able to give hundred per cent.
"I am not saying that I made all the difference to the team but I kept the guys on their toes. Our team believed in contributing to each other's success. That focus has gone; players can't enjoy themselves on the field because they don't know when their next match is going to be."
The 35-year-old, however, was supportive of Kevin Pietersen's decision to move to England.
"He used to bowl off spin when he was 19. But he was the third off spinner in Natal after Pat Symcox and Derek Crookes and there was no opportunity for him. When he first went to England, Shaun Pollock remarked that he was one player who should've made it (to the national team).
"We are proud people in South Africa and don't like our sportsmen playing for someone else. So I know he hasn't received the best reception back home. Also the fact that he was playing against us and scoring hundreds just rubbed it in a little bit. It is like a love-hate relationship."
Rhodes also backed former teammate Lance Klusener, who has been out of favour with the selectors since the 2003 World Cup. He said the best part about Klusener was that he was different from the rest.
"You need such characters in the team and it is the captain's job to get the best out of each of these individuals," said Rhodes
"The selectors have said that they would reward players who did well at the state level. Now Klusener has done everything, he has performed with the bat and ball, lost weight and become stronger, last season he also kept wickets for Natal. What else is one required to do?" asked Rhodes
When asked about the forthcoming India-Pakistan series, Rhodes was non-commital, only saying that India would have the home advantage.
"And of course if Sachin Tendulkar and Shoaib Akhtar both play, it will be an exciting series."
