Justin Ontong finds himself in the eerie yet thoroughly enjoyable and deserved career twilight where the transition from playing to coaching will be quicker than expected.
Things have moved faster than the former Proteas offspinning all-rounder and veteran Highveld Lions and Cape Cobras first-class campaigner expected.
He will start his fielding coach duties with the Proteas next month, meaning his 20-year first-class career comes to an abrupt end. What could have been his last first-class game took place last month in Oudtshoorn.
"I was always hoping to go into coaching when I stopped playing but this kind of an opportunity is a once in a lifetime," Ontong said.
"I had to say yes to it. It's a bit sad because I felt I still have a year or two left in me from a playing perspective but at some stage, all good things have to come to an end."
Ontong had to overcome a difficult start to his short test career forced on him by the late Percy Sonn, then United Cricket Board SA president.Sonn invoked a presidential vote to hand Ontong a test debut ahead of Jacques Rudolph in the third test against Steve Waugh's all-conquering Australians in the 2001/02 season.
CHALLENGES AHEAD
The Sonn saga overshadowed Ontong's career but he said he's chosen not to live in the past.
There's also the significant matter of being a qualified coach, something Ontong said is a necessity and he will embark on his Cricket SA level-three coaching qualification.
"It's a different era and you can't look at it in that sense," said the 37-year-old. "That was from a player's perspective and that's in the past.
"The new challenge that I have now is that I am in a coaching capacity but I'm happy to be back in that set-up, though it's in a coaching capacity. It's still representing your country and you want to make sure your country is the best in the world. Hopefully I can make a major contribution...