Snape played 10 one-day internationals for England

South Africa have appointed former England player Jeremy Snape as their performance coach for the forthcoming series against England and Australia.

Snape, who retired from playing this week, impressed Proteas captain Graeme Smith in a similar job with IPL winners Rajasthan Royals earlier this year.

Smith said: "He will be a big asset to us this summer and in the future.

"Shane Warne got a lot of accolades for the Royals winning but Jeremy's contribution was also a key part."

South Africa coach Micky Arthur said the former Leicestershire spin bowler had an "immense value" to the Royals.

"We now see him playing a major part for us as performance coach," added Arthur.

"He will be with us for the forthcoming series with England on an ad hoc basis before coming to us in a full-time capacity for the tour after that of Australia."

England employed Snape, 35, as a sports psychologist during the 2007 World Cup.

Snape joined Leicestershire from Gloucestershire in 2003 and was part of the Foxes' Twenty20 Cup winning teams in 2004 and 2006.

He began his first-class career at Northamptonshire in 1992 before joining Gloucestershire for the 1999 season.

The Stoke-born cricketer made his England debut on their tour to Zimbabwe in 2001 and played a total of 10 one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match for England.

South Africa launched their tour of England with a practice session at Taunton on Thursday ahead of Sunday's three-day match with Somerset.