Ngidi is the talk of the town in international cricket following his six-wicket haul (39/6) to lead South Africa to a Test series victory over India during what was his debut Test.

Pundits believe that the world’s leading Test bowler, Kagiso Rabada, and Ngidi will be the pair to lead South African bowling attack in the future, seeing that Morné Morkel, Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander are starting to approach their twilight years in the sport.

Donald told OFM Sport that Ngidi is just one of those rare talents with everything in his arsenal, even a good head on his shoulders.

“A star has been born. I saw this kid two years ago and I was very, very impressed with him when I spent some time with the VKB Knights.

“During a one day he played against us and I thought wow this kid is very talented.

“It’s just something about these special ones. When we saw Kagiso Rabada you just know that this kid is on the right track and he is doing the right things and he is asking the right questions.

“It’s one thing having extreme talent, but it’s also another thing having a magnificent head on his shoulder at a young age. You just don’t get that and you cannot coach that.

“Sometimes you see a guy with tremendous talent but the guy is a bit of an airhead. You’re going to get that in any sport, but I think will Lungi Ngidi a star has been born.

“Yes, the ball that got Virat Kohli was an absolute gem! It’s just one of those unplayable deliveries and one of the best you’ll ever see, just magnificent.”

Donald added that he did question Ngidi’s inclusion as a replacement for Dale Steyn ahead of Chris Morris, but admits that he got it wrong.

“Fair-do’s for South Africa and their aggressive approach in picking Ngidi.

“I was on a very wrong trail. I said a straight swop for Dale Steyn was going to be Chris Morris.

“When I saw Ngidi in the eleven I though okay, not sceptical, I saw just thinking young kid, throw him in and see what he has got in a very important Test match where South Africa could win the series, and they’ve done that.

“I know Ottis (Gibson) well and he wouldn’t that thought that picking Ngidi was a gamble and he has produced in a huge way.

“It’s awesome to see the South Africans playing some good cricket and I can’t wait for the Aussies to come, because I think the match-up between these two teams is going to be absolutely unbelievable.”

The third and final Test at the Wanderers in Johannesburg starts on 24 January.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport