Coach of the bizhub Highveld Lions, Geoffrey Toyana, believes Quinton de Kock can mimic Brian Lara’s success with the West Indies and become a match-winner for South Africa in Test series.

De Kock is pushing for the number seven spot in the Test team, while the likes of Stiaan van Zyl, Dean Elgar and Alviro Petersen are the favourites to open the innings for the South African Test team against Sri Lanka in July.

Toyana admits that the youngster struggled in the last Test against Sri Lanka’s big bowlers, but is confident De Kock has improved since that latest stint.

“His work ethic is wonderful. Sometimes we had to ‘force’ him out of the nets,” said Toyana.

“And look where JK is now. You cannot bat Quinton at No 1, then at No 4, and the next test at No 6. And you cannot have a situation where he is looking over his shoulder after just one Test and wonder if his place is in jeopardy. What he needs, is an extended run.”

De Kock averages 46.31 in one-day internationals, and showed some improved form in the shortened format.