Lancaster has also turned to cricket. He has showed the players a video fronted by Graeme Smith, South Africa’s former captain. “I’ve been thinking lately about what it means to represent South Africa and play for the Proteas, for 50 million people in such a huge country,” Smith says. “Who do we play for? I think there is a bigger picture here for us. I think it is important we recognise how big our responsibility is. Our country is crying out for its next inspirational story. We need to reinvent ourselves as the best team in the world. We have the skill, but do we have the character?”