Willoughby joined Somerset as a Kolpak player in 2006 (Getty)

South African seamer Charl Willoughby is hoping his fellow countrymen in the Somerset line-up can make a positive contribution to the domestic game.

"Hopefully it's not to the detriment of English cricket," he told BBC Somerset.

"I think it can only make the guys who get to play better cricketers and make English cricketers put up their hand.

"But it's a big debate and as long as we keep performing nobody can argue why we're here," added Willoughby, who is one of three Kolpak players in Taunton.

The others are recent South Afican arrivals Alfonso Thomas and Zander de Bruyn.

South African-born wicket-keeper Craig Kieswetter has a British passport, while West Indian all-rounder Omari Banks does not count as an overseas player because he was born in Anguilla, which is a British overseas territory.

"In divisional cricket you need as strong a squad as you possibly can have and the club's really put that effort in to strengthen us this year.

"I definitely think we can compete in all competitions with the squad we've got," said Willoughby.

The 33-year-old feels there is plenty to come from his compatriot Zander de Bruyn, who arrived in Somerset last week.

"He's a fine cricketer, he's a magnificent batter, a very good fielder, and he turns his arm over well.

"He's capable of getting big wicket-hauls when it's his day.

"Over the last few years he's become a seriously experienced cricketer and a more consistent cricketer.

"You'd have thought he'd have got more opportunities [at Test level] but unfortunately not but he's here to help us win something this year."