South Africa's selectors have given the indication that Thami Tsolekile will be the long-term successor to Mark Boucher after handing the wicketkeeper a national contract.

There have been calls for Boucher to end his reign as the incumbent gloveman and with the 35-year-old having already relinquished the gloves in the ODI arena, the South African selectors have begun to consider the future.

Convenor of selectors, Andrew Hudson, told ESPNcricinfo: "There's definitely intention there for him to play for South Africa in the longer formats. We've showed our hand and said we think he is ready to be a successor.

"But the selection decisions still have to happen and there are no guarantees."

It is the first time Cricket South Africa (CSA) has contracted two wicketkeepers since professional contracts were first awarded back in 1998.

Tsolekile has already played Test cricket, back in 2004, when Boucher was dropped for the tour of India. However, Tsolekile failed to step up to the international level and after three Tests, Boucher was given his place back.

Now after continuing to toil on the domestic circuit the 31-year-old has impressed with a batting average of over 50 in the last two seasons while also honing his skills with the gloves and has since been rewarded with a contract.

"He has always impressed at South Africa A level and he scored runs in England and Sri Lanka. The 58 he scored against the Australians in Potchefstroom at the start of the summer was also important," Hudson said.

Along with Faf du Plessis and Jacques Rudolph, Tsolekile is one of three new players to receive a contract and was naturally delighted.

"I was very surprised to get a national contract but all the hard work I've put in has paid off," he said.

"As a cricketer I have matured with age and experience and I am more ready now than when I made my debut and I would love to get another chance."

South African contracted players: Graeme Smith (Test captain), AB de Villiers (ODI and T20 captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, Mark Boucher, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, Jacques Kallis, Albie Morkel, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Alviro Petersen, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Ashwell Prince, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Rusty Theron, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Thami Tsolekile