South Africa coach Corrie van Zyl is concerned by the workload that some of his players may have to shoulder once the IPL begins.

There are 18 players from South Africa signed up by franchises in the lucrative league, a majority of them holding Proteas contracts.

Some of the more high-profile ones are captain Graeme Smith, his deputy Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Dale Steyn, who are all expected to feature heavily during the third season of the IPL.

Van Zyl is worried about burnout following a long season that began with the Champions Trophy last September and is planning to send some of his coaching staff to India to make sure the players remain in prime shape for the ICC World Twenty20 and tour to West Indies in May.

He told www.sport24.com: "There are obviously a number of overseas players in every team and only four are allowed to play at a time. A number of them will not play in all the games.

"Some of the players will get very little game time and I will give them programmes with specific exercises aimed at improving certain aspects of their game.

"The IPL teams also have to understand that our requirements for our players is a priority.

"Brandon Jacobs (physiotherapist) and Rob Walters (fitness coach) are already in contact with the IPL sides and will help me monitor the players."