The Proteas are keen to have their former star batsman Gary Kirsten as national team's coach next year, but Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is reportedly among those pushing to have the South African's contract as Indian coach renewed.

Kirsten had gained respect and popularity after taking over as coach of the Indian side in March 2008, the Afrikaans weekly Rapport said, adding that this was boosted by India's victory against Australia earlier this month in Test series.