The South African cricket team has called upon former Test cricketer Jonty Rhodes to help them improve their fielding in preparation for the tour of India later this month.

Rhodes gave the team a pep talk on the eve of the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Durban on Friday and expressed willingness to help out the side whenever needed.

"I am only too willing to help out whenever the boys need my advice", he said while joking and passing on tips to the team.

Skipper Graeme Smith also recognised the contribution that Rhodes, who retired in 2003, could make.

"Although we have taken an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series (against New Zealand), we felt we needed to learn some extra lessons from a top guy like Jonty so that we can not only play our best against New Zealand but also prepare for our tour to India", Smith said.

He said conditions in India are tough and they needed all the help they can get.