Elgar on looming Proteas-IPL clash: 'We'll see where players' loyalties lie'

The Indian Premier League (IPL) may be a player's money-making dream, but it's proving to be Proteas skipper Dean Elgar's worst nightmare.

The tournament starts on 26 March, meaning that it will encroach on South Africa's two-Test series against Bangladesh that starts on 31 March in Durban.

Elgar's prime fast bowlers in Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje has been roped in by various franchises.

Rabada and Jansen have been superb for the Proteas in their Test successes against India and New Zealand.

When fit, Ngidi played a superb supporting role while Nortje missed the summer through injury.

While understanding the need for players to be in India to maximize on their talents, Elgar faces the prospect of a crucial World Test Championship series without his key bowlers, something that doesn't sit well with him.

Fresh from the 1-1 draw against New Zealand, Elgar said conversations over player availability for the series are already taking place.

"The outcome of that meeting was that the players need to give Cricket South Africa an indication of their keenness to go to the IPL or if they want to play for the Test side," Elgar said.

"It's a tough one putting that in the player's box, but I guess this is where you see where the loyalty of the players lie.

"They mustn't forget that it is Test and ODI cricket that catapulted them into the IPL spotlight, not the other way round.

"That's all that I could prepare knowing that most of my bowlers are potentially not going to be there for the Bangladesh series if they choose the IPL route.

"Hopefully, things will be clearer by next week."

With Bangladesh demonstrating that they can win away from home after duffing New Zealand at the start of the year, Elgar doesn't want