The 49-year-old who signed a two-year contract with the Hobart Hurricanes earlier in the year travelled to Tasmania recently to start work ahead of the 2017/18 tournament which gets underway in December.

The Hurricanes endured a disappointing campaign last season having won just three out of eight games.

“I am really looking forward to getting involved,” Kirsten beamed.

“The visit gave me a chance to familiarize myself with the environment and have a number of conversations to understand where the team was last year,” he explained.

“The sense that I got is that the team is kind of bubbling under. They have shown that they do have something and it is just a few tweaks that can make a big difference,” Kirsten said.

Kirsten admits that he has lofty ambitions for the team despite their recent struggles.

“The goal is to win the BBL,” Kirsten said.

“What is important is that we make sure everything we do in recruiting, exposing the brand, our playing ability and preparation all stack up right. Then we will have a good chance of doing well,” Kirsten revealed.

He will head back to Australia in October to join Tasmania’s Matador Cup squad and work alongside coach, Adam Griffith.

The 39-year-old will be Kirsten’s assistant coach at the tournament.

“I will spend around 10 days with the team and connect with the players. It is also to watch Adam at work so we align ourselves,” he concluded.

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Kirsten was especially pleased to see the likes of Quinton De Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma and Kyle Abbott rise to the occasion Down Under.

“It is very exciting to see what the team has been able to achieve. I think the junior players have shown that they are worthy of their place in the side. They have adapted quickly and contributed to the team well,” Kirsten said.

Kirsten believes the team is in a good place and that the quality in squad depth is encouraging.

“With Dale Steyn and AB De Villiers out through injury this team showed they can step up. There is real competition and guys are showing they are willing to fight for their place,” Kirsten said.

“They put the Australians under a lot of pressure. Sometimes teams play in such a way that they do not allow the opposition to execute their game plan,” he added.

De Villiers’ unavailability due to an elbow injury would have been a real concern for the selectors before the tour got underway but they found an able skipper in Faf Du Plessis.

“Faf has done a great job. He has shown that he is a capable leader and that he can step in and do the job,” Kirsten said.

The contest now moves to Adelaide with the Proteas eager to claim a series whitewash of the old enemy.

The game which gets underway on 24 November is a day/night test, a first time experience for the Proteas.

“Australia will say to themselves that they need to get going and can’t keep losing games. I think they have some challenges with inexperience. The Proteas meanwhile will be angling to close up the series, that will be something special, Kirsten concluded.

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