As Australia's national selectors mull over Matthew Hayden's cricketing future, former Proteas strike bowler Allan Donald claims South Africa would look forward to the out-of-sorts opener touring there.
Donald said a Proteas attack led by "legend in the making" Dale Steyn would not lose any sleep if Haydenenjoyed a stay of execution and toured South Africa next month.
He says Australia needs the veteran batsman with tough tours to South Africa and England looming.
Hayden was dumped from the one-day and Twenty20 Australian squads following his horror run in the 2-1 test series loss to the Proteas. His slump has coincided with Australia's once vice-like grip on world cricket slipping.
So much so that Donald claimed the Proteas believed Australia were ripe for the picking before the Down Under tour and warned South Africa could now dominate world cricket "for a while".
"I don't think South Africa will mind him [Hayden] coming right now," said Donald. "He's been struggling and been out of form for a long time."
But Donald did not rule out Hayden bouncing back from the worst slump of his glittering career. "They need a guy like him, he is such a big presence. He's a bloke that if he plays well everyone in his side plays well.
"You never know, after having a break [from the one-day, Twenty20 games] something could click and away you go. I still feel he is a couple of knocks away from some serious scores."
And Donald said he wouldn't be surprised if Hayden made another Ashes tour.
"I think it is a little too early for him to go. I believe he may have two years in him and wouldn't be surprised if he had another Ashes campaign.
"But the selectors have indicated they will have to re-think his future."
Hayden's struggles have mirrored the once mighty Australia's form - something not lost on the quietly confident Proteas, says Donald.
"Before South Africa came here we all knew Australia were up for the taking.
In all my time that we played against Australia, we have always competed with them but we have never been able to grab the big moments.
"That's where we outplayed Australia - we played the big moments much better."
