MUMBAI: Eager to attract more Indians to the rainbow nation, South Africa Tourism (SAT) has appointed former South African cricketer and one of the most well-known faces of world cricket Jonty Rhodes as brand ambassador in India.

The decision comes after the former cricketer penned down a travel guide on his South African holiday experiences for Lonely Planet on behalf of South Africa Tourism.

South African Tourism India country manager Hanneli Slabber said, "It has been our constant endeavour to engage with like-minded partners who showcase their passion for South Africa and believe in the huge tourism potential that our country has to offer to core markets like India.

"Jonty has a huge fan-following, his credibility, stellar cricketing career and love for travel, adventure and South Africa, makes him the ambassador of choice to promote South Africa‘s varied and exciting tourism experiences in a growing market of Indian travellers."

According SAT, there has been double digit growth from the Indian market for South African tourism in the last five years with the numbers increasing substantially each year. The country‘s tourism department hopes that this year will see South Africa cross the 100,000 mark for arrivals from India.

According to the arrival figures, South Africa had received 97,664 Indians visitors between January to November 2012 which is an increase of 18.1 per cent to the corresponding period last year.