Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith says today's Test batsmen lack patience and the "brain" to flourish on foreign soil.

Proteas stalwart Smith was the last to breach the 1,000 run mark for a batsman touring the UK, racking up 1,570 runs in 12 Tests in England at 67.75. Opening in England is an occupation fraught with danger: only eight men in the history of Test cricket have passed that 1,000 runs mark on tours there.

Smith says modern batsmen no longer have the mentality for digging in and eking out tough runs against the new Dukes ball in conditions that often favour the home side's bowlers.

"I just think modern-day batters don't have the patience any more. They're not prepared to work through periods," Smith told Cricbuzz.

"Look at Virat Kohli's hundred in the Edgbaston game. How long was he under the pump for? He fought and he fought and he fought, and then suddenly it breaks; you get the opportunity to play and the game opens up.

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"I just think that little bit has gone out of the modern-day game, certainly in the Test match format.

"That's why captains drop the field back so quickly – because they know that the modern-day batters want to see boundaries. If they can cut out the boundaries then people get frustrated and play loose shots.

"I think you can play on egos a lot more nowadays than you probably could a few years back.

"You have to have a brain. Sometimes you realise that, 'OK, the wicket is doing a lot, the ball is swinging, I've got to fight and fight hard to get through it'.

"So it's about figuring out and understanding what you're up against and putting your technique and mindset into the situation."

Smith scored 5,253 of his 9,265 Test runs opening the batting on foreign soil, at the hugely impressive average of 55.88. Only England stalwart Alastair Cook, with 5,904 runs, has scored more away from home as an opener in the 21st century.

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Smith flourished in most foreign conditions, particularly in England, where he scored five centuries and was undefeated on three tours, with series wins in 2008 and 2012.

"I sort of in my mind knew how James Anderson was going to bowl, how Stuart Broad would bowl, and prepared in that way," Smith said.

"I always thought about how they'll try and get me out so prepared that way in the nets.

"The other thing is, batting in England you need to be really aware of the conditions. There's a big difference batting in England when it's overcast and cloudy to when it's sunny.

Smith lifts the ICC Test mace in 2012 // Getty

"So just being aware of those situations – when you need to tighten up and when you can afford to attack a bit more and stuff like that. Mentally being a lot more aware, because the wicket may seem to be flat but all of a sudden it clouds over and it starts swinging."

English conditions have brought many a visiting batting line-up undone, and Smith said being confident in playing the line was crucial with the seam movement the Dukes ball could generate.

"When you're batting in England, the minute you follow the ball you tend to nick it more," he said.

"If you can play a line and you hold your line, if there's swing or movement and it beats you, then that's fine.

"I found that in England because the wickets are a touch slow, if you follow the ball or at the last minute feel for something, you tend to edge it.

"So I was quite comfortable playing and missing in England and holding my channels with my bat."